More Victoria Police officers suspended over Dean Laidley photo leak scandal
The number of police and support staff suspended or transferred in fallout from the Dean Laidley photo scandal has now reached double digits.
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Thirteen police and support staff have so far been suspended or transferred in fallout from the Dean Laidley photo scandal.
The officers came under investigation after images of the footy identity, shot inside St Kilda police station, went viral online after he was arrested in May this year.
The sworn members under suspension are two senior constables from southern region, two detective senior constables from southern region and a constable from northwest metro.
Two police custody officers from southern metro have also been stood down.
Those transferred to other duties are a constable from north west metro, two constables and a senior constable from western region and a senior constable and a detective senior constable from southern metro.
The inquiry is being run by professional standards command detectives, overseen by the independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission.
The image of Laidley in the police station went viral in the hours after it was taken and distributed to others.
It was eventually received by thousands of people and posted on the popular BigFooty Australian rules website.
Many police officers and employees have made declarations that they received the photo after being ordered to come forward if it was sent to them.
The scandal over the image going public has sparked fears the force could be left wide open to legal action from Laidley.
“As the investigation is ongoing, we will be making no further comment,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
Some police could face dismissal over the matter.
Laidley is a former West Coast and North Melbourne player and also coached the Kangaroos.
He is due back in court on December 14 over the stalking allegations that led to his arrest.
Laidley was staying at a Geelong rehabilitation facility after being bailed over allegations he sent dozens of aggressive phone calls and text messages to a woman.
During one alleged phone call, Laidley allegedly said: “I’m going to ram you with the car when you leave”.
A court heard he is also accused of carrying out “reconnaissance” on her address, taking pictures of her apartment building and car and requesting CCTV from her body corporate to “keep her under surveillance”.
Mr Laidley is charged with stalking, using a carriage service to menace and other offences after his arrest outside the woman’s St Kilda home on May 2.
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