Police media unit defends decision not to publicise rape charge against officer

NT Police has defended its decision not to publicise the fact one of its officers had been charged with rape

The NT Police media unit issued a press release saying one of their own had been charged with ‘a number of offences’

NT POLICE has defended its decision not to publicise the fact one of its officers had been charged with rape.

The officer, who cannot be named under NT law, faced the Darwin Local Court on Thursday just two hours after the NT Police media unit issued a press release saying one of their own had been charged with “a number of offences”.

When asked what the charges were and when the officer was due to face court, a police media spokesman refused to say, citing only legal advice and unspecified “legislation”.

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In response to a series of questions from the NT News on Friday, the spokesman eventually clarified his concerns related to the section of the Sexual Offences Act banning publication of any information that could identify the man.

“Depending on the situation, the date and time of any court hearing may lead to identification of the defendant,” he said.

“When a member of the public is charged with a sexual offence we do not provide any of the details referred to in the act such as name, address, place of employment and as such offences and court dates are provided.”

Under the act, a person is guilty of an offence if they publish anything that could identify a person accused of a sex crime before they’ve been committed to stand trial and is “reckless as to the result”.

The last time NT Police issued a press release about an alleged rape was on September 18 and it included a court date.

The police officer facing the rape charge was also charged with possessing ammunition without a licence and unlawfully possessing property — which the spokesman also refused to disclose.

He has been suspended from duty with pay and was released on bail.

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The allegations against the officer come after another cop and Palmerston Raiders coach, Daniel Mark Keelan, was also granted bail in the Darwin Local Court last week after being charged with drug supply and possession, stealing and firearms offences.

Both officers are due to return to court in November.

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