NSW Police Northern Region officer Michael Hoogvelt in Tweed Heads Local Court

A northern NSW police officer accused of using a company computer to unlawfully access restricted data has faced a local court. Here’s the details.

Michael Hoogvelt, 50, at Tweed Heads Local Court. Picture: NSW Police.

A northern NSW police officer accused of using a company computer to unlawfully access restricted data has faced a local court.

NSW Police Northern Region officer Michael Hoogvelt, 50, fronted Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday, charged with eight counts of access/modify restricted data and one count of misconduct in public office.

It is not yet clear what data Hoogvelt allegedly accessed or modified on the police computer system.

In light of the charges he was suspended by the police force without pay.

No pleas have been entered to the charges.

Hoogvelt appeared in court in person and was represented by Brisbane-based lawyer Matthew Cuskelly, principal lawyer at MPO Legal.

He asked Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy if the case could be adjourned while the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) waited for a brief of evidence to be served by the investigating officer.

The DPP representative said evidence would include computer data and telephone intercept transcripts.

Mr Dunlevy sad the brief of evidence must be supplied by October 28.

The matter was adjourned until Monday, November 11 for a brief status mention.

Hoogvelt is not in custody in relation to the matter.

Originally published as NSW Police Northern Region officer Michael Hoogvelt in Tweed Heads Local Court