Senior Constable suspended while on serious assault, public nuisance charges

A Qld policeman facing criminal charges can be identified as a longstanding officer, youth mentor and mental health advocate.

Senior Constable Thomas Mackinnon is a well-known youth mentor in the Fraser Coast community.

A 53-year-old Queensland policeman, suspended pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, can be identified as a well-known Hervey Bay community leader and youth mentor.

Senior Constable Thomas ‘Tom’ Richard Mackinnon is charged with serious assault and public nuisance.

Police will allege the charges stem from an altercation while Snr Cnst Mackinnon was off duty.

The married father and officer of more than two decades has long been heavily involved in the Fraser Coast community and his local church.

He was formerly at the helm of the Hervey Bay PCYC and acted as a youth mentor in local schools and through programs like the Butchulla Rites of Passage where indigenous boys undergo a series of activities with their significant male role models and take part in a coming-of-age ceremony in the Poona National Park.

Snr Cnst Thomas Richard Mackinnon, known as 'Tom' has been suspended while he awaits the outcome of a serious assault and public nuisance charge.

He is also known as a mental health awareness advocate having regularly led his colleagues’ fundraising efforts for Movember and leading Shed Night talks where men are encouraged to share experiences and support each other.

In 2016 he was awarded the National Police Medal for 15 years of service.

Mr Mackinnon’s charges were briefly mentioned before Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Defence lawyer Travis George asked for a four-week adjournment for the purpose of continuing discussions with police with the intention of working towards a “resolution”.

He also said he had recent discussions with Mr Mackinnon regarding the brief of evidence.

Snr Cnst Tom Mackinnon at a Shed Night Fraser Coast talk. PHOTO: Facebook.

Mr Mackinnon’s appearance was excused on Tuesday and the court heard he was currently on bail.

The case was adjourned until June 9.

In a statement last month, the Queensland Police Service confirmed the officer had been suspended.

It said it informed the public when a member faced serious allegations of misconduct to keep a commitment to high standards of behaviour, transparency and accountability.

It also reiterated that a suspension against the member “did not mean the allegations against them were substantiated”.

Originally published as Senior Constable suspended while on serious assault, public nuisance charges