Fraud charges dropped against NT Police officer, Senior Constable Karl Bauman

Prosecutors have dropped their case against a long-serving Northern Territory Police officer, saying disciplinary proceedings had been dealt out.

Fraud allegations against a highly-decorated Territory police officer have been dropped.

Senior Constable First Class Karl Gordon Bauman faced Darwin Local Court charged with one count of obtaining benefit by deception.

Prosecutor Steven Ledek told Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris on Monday the case against the 40-year-old officer had been withdrawn.

It comes nearly three months after Mr Bauman was charged in August.

Mr Ledek said the matter had been completely resolved.

“Disciplinary proceedings have now taken place, sanctions have been involved,” Mr Ledek said.

The fraud charge Constable Bauman faced carried a potential maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

NT Police officer Karl Gordon Bauman appeared in Darwin Local Court.

NT Police were asked what sanctions Constable Bauman faced, but decline to comment.

“The Northern Territory Police Force do not make comment on internal discipline and management matters involving staff,” a spokesman said.

Constable Bauman has been with the force for more than 15 years, and was praised with awards and letters of recognition over his time on the frontline, according to NT Police annual reports.

He was stationed in Wadeye in 2006 when gang-related violent unrest broke out, forcing residents to flee the remote West Daly community.

Constable Bauman was among five officers given a Certificate of Appreciation and high praise from the then Police Commissioner Paul White.

The next year he was given a letter of recognition for stopping a runaway truck and freeing the driver at Wadeye in 2007.

Constable Bauman was given the National Medal in 2020, to recognise his “diligent service” over 15 years on the force.