Former chief 'used' officer

A DECORATED former federal police commander who had the ear of Victoria's most senior police "overwhelmed" a constable with his power and connections, using the junior officer to filter confidential information to an MP's wife and union figures.

A DECORATED former federal police commander who had the ear of Victoria's most senior police "overwhelmed" a constable with his power and connections, using the junior officer to filter confidential information to an MP's wife and union figures.

Constable Norman Dunn had a long friendship with former federal police chief inspector Kerry Milte, the Victorian County Court heard yesterday, and was introduced to some of NSW and Victoria's most senior police through his mentor.

When Mr Milte asked Constable Dunn to access Victoria's Law Enforcement Assistance Program database in connection with a debt that was owed to federal Labor frontbencher Bob Sercombe's wife, Carmen, Constable Dunn "capitulated", the court heard.

The 35-year-old also accessed the database to conduct criminal background checks on an Australian Workers Union member who was the rival of a contact of Mr Milte in a forthcoming union election at a Melbourne Toyota site, the court heard.

During his friendship with Mr Milte, 62, Constable Dunn was introduced to high-ranking police officers, including former NSW assistant commissioner Paul McKinnon and former AFP superintendent John Sharp.

It was through Mr McKinnon that Victoria's Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon came to have three meetings with Mr Milte to discuss police corruption, Mr Milte's barrister David Brustman told the court.

Mr McKinnon provided the court with a glowing reference for Mr Milte, who pleaded guilty to three charges of incitement between 2002 and 2003.

Constable Dunn pleaded guilty to three charges of misconduct in public office related to his unauthorised accessing of the LEAP database.

The suspended policeman's barrister, Ian Hayden, told the court his client had good reason to believe that when he carried out covert activities on behalf of Mr Milte, some of those activities were sanctioned by senior police command.

The pre-sentence hearing continues today.