WA Assistant Police Commissioner Gailene Hamilton charged with stalking

One of the highest-ranking police officers in an Aussie state has been stood down after being charged with stalking.

A Western Australian assistant police commissioner will face court next month charged with stalking.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, WA Police said Assistant Commissioner Gailene Hamilton had been charged with one count of stalking and four counts of unlawful use of a computer system.

Ms Hamilton had been promoted to the third top job last month only days before she was stood down from her position following allegations of misconduct, The West Australian reported.

Gailene Hamilton is due to face court next month for allegedly stalking a fellow officer. Picture ABC News:

The matter was referred to the Corruption and Crime Commission after an internal investigation into allegations that Ms Hamilton had harassed a fellow officer.

In June, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the investigations involved allegations of “persistent messages” between Ms Hamilton and another senior officer.

She has been charged with four counts of unlawful use of a computer system and one count of stalking.

WA Police said she remains stood down, and is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on August 6.

“As the matter is before the courts, there will be no further comment at this time,” WA Police said in a statement.