SA Assistant Police Commissioner Philip Newitt ordered sergeant's removal after he flagged missed opportunities, court told
Explosive evidence reveals a senior police officer moved to push out Sergeant Russell Nash from the SA Police Band within hours of receiving his complaint email.
A top cop ordered Sergeant Russell Nash be pushed out of the SA Police Band just hours after the veteran officer raised concerns about missed media opportunities, a coronial inquest has been told.
The tragic death of long-serving police officer Sergeant Nash, who took his own life on Christmas Eve 2021 after alleged bullying by a senior supervisor, has been the subject of inquest which began last month.
New explosive evidence revealed SA Assistant Police Commissioner Philip Newitt made an order forcing Sergeant Nash to exit the band after he sent an email to leadership raising his disappointment that the police media team did not attend one of their performances.
The school performance was in support of National Child Protection Week.
Sergeant Nash cc’d Assistant Commissioner Philip Newitt and the Police Association of South Australia assistant secretary in the email sent at 3.15pm on September 8, 2021.
“In my view this was a wonderful opportunity to not only promote the relevance of our Band, but also SAPOL as an organisation in support of the nation’s stance against the abuse and neglect of children,” Sergeant Nash wrote.
“The band is very invested and passionate in supporting public confidence in the Police, and I feel we missed a great opportunity to reinforce that today.
“If the Band is to be utilised as part of the corporate communications strategy, it is my view that we have many obstacles to overcome.”
Sergeant Nash’s email was forwarded on – without him being copied in – and his supervisors discussed the inappropriateness of his complaint.
In the forwarded email chain, Mr Newitt said Sergeant Nash’s behaviour was out of line.
“Can you please manage this situation and Sgt Nash’s thinking that it is o.k. to email this group of people, and the PASA member, on such an issue,” Mr Newitt wrote.
The same day at 4.18pm, the former Superintendent and officer-in-charge of Community & Engagement Branch Christine Baulderstone wrote to the then Chief Inspector Cameron Devey instructing on the behalf of the Assistant Commissioner to “move (Sergeant Nash) on from the Band”.
“Comment below from the AC (Assistant Commissioner) FYI,” Ms Baulderstone wrote.
“He asked for an analysis to be done… as to how much time Russell has had off work since he has been at the Band, with the plan to move him on from the Band.
“Can you please … discuss the plan for the conversation with Russell for Friday, also ensure his RTW (Return to Work) coordinator / psych aware of this behaviour.”
The court has previously heard Sergeant Nash took his own life after alleged “excessive and unwarranted display of power” by a senior officer.
Sergeant Nash’s family has also called on SA Police to address what they claim are deadly “systemic and cultural failures” within the force, wich include behaviours such as bullying and harassment.
Mr Newitt still holds the position of Assistant Police Commissioner.
SA Police has declined to make further comment while the matter is before the court.
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Originally published as SA Assistant Police Commissioner Philip Newitt ordered sergeant's removal after he flagged missed opportunities, court told
