By Gemma Grant, Melissa Cunningham and Cameron Houston
A Victorian police officer who was suspended over allegations she performed a Nazi salute on two occasions while on duty has been identified as a sergeant who has been with the force for more than four decades.
The incidents allegedly took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in front of colleagues at the Victorian Police Academy.
The sergeant allegedly performed the gesture at the Victorian Police Academy in Glen Waverley. Credit: Joe Armao
A police source, who was not authorised to speak publicly, told The Age that the officer who performed the alleged salute was 65-year-old Sergeant Mandy Finegan. She is also alleged to have said the words, “Heil Hitler”.
Finegan has been a Victoria Police officer for more than 40 years. For the past 16 years, she has worked at the police academy as an instructor on family violence.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Her identity was confirmed by a second police source.
The Age has been told by a police source that the alleged incident occurred during a training class at the academy, where Finegan made the Nazi salute following a dispute with another trainer.
A group of trainees witnessed the alleged incident.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton expressed his disapproval of the alleged incident.
“I want to express ... my disgust, my anger at this appalling conduct,” Patton said on Saturday. “It’s abhorrent conduct, and it doesn’t matter who commits it, we will investigate it.”
Patton also took the chance to “profoundly apologise” to Victoria’s Jewish community, for which he said the incidents would “only exacerbate [the] grief and pain” felt following the anniversary of last year’s October 7 attacks on Israel by terrorist organisation Hamas.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard it,” Patton said. “Victoria Police is better than this. It lets down our reputation.”
He said police would investigate, and praised the swift action since the alleged incidents were reported during the week.
A police spokeswoman said on Saturday afternoon that Finegan had been interviewed by Professional Standards Command detectives in relation to allegedly performing a Nazi salute on two occasions. The sergeant has been suspended with pay.
“The officer has been released without charge at this stage as the investigation remains ongoing,” the spokeswoman said.
“A brief of evidence will be prepared regarding the incidents. Any charges arising would be expected to proceed on summons.”
Finegan works within the People Development Command, which is managed by deputy commissioner of capability Robert Hill.
Professional Standards Command, another department overseen by Hill, is investigating the allegations.
Both departments are listed among seven groups responsible for upholding diversity and inclusion in Victoria Police’s workforce framework.
The Police Association of Victoria, the representative union organisation, also criticised the alleged incident.
“[We have] consistently condemned this offensive gesture and urged the government to toughen legislation and penalties against those who perform it,” a spokesperson said. “That stance applies to everyone in our community.”
Laws banning Nazi symbols and gestures in public were introduced by the state government in October last year. A person who commits an offence faces maximum penalties of a fine of $23,000, 12 months’ prison, or both.
On Wednesday, Jacob Hersant, 25, became the first person in Victoria to be found guilty of performing a Nazi salute in public. A magistrate has indicated he would jail Hersant, who is awaiting sentencing.
Other men have also been charged with the same offence, including Nathan Bull, who allegedly performed the Nazi salute at Carlton’s Cinema Nova in March.
It is unclear how Finegan’s alleged salute would be treated under Victorian laws, given the offending is said to have occurred inside a classroom at the police academy, rather than in public.
However, Deakin University Associate Professor Josh Roose, whose research focuses on the intersection of politics, law and violent extremism, said the police academy could arguably be deemed a public space.
He said the academy was a government-funded building, likening it a university, a training campus or educational institution.
“I think it will really come down to what exactly was the context of salute and the intent behind it, and whether it showed any solidarity or any belief in Nazi ideology,” he said.
The Victorian Police Academy is located in Glen Waverley, in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. It is where new officers complete their first 31 weeks of training upon joining the force.
This masthead has attempted to contact Finegan but she could not be reached before deadline.
In Sydney, prominent restaurateur Alan Yazbek was charged after holding a sign which displayed the Israeli flag with a swastika at a rally on Sunday. He has since apologised, and is set to face court later this month.
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