ICAC clears Police Commissioner Grant Stevens after he accidentally fired his gun during 1990 drug raid
SA’s anti-corruption body has investigated and cleared Police Commissioner Grant Stevens over an accidental shooting during a heroin raid in 1990.
The state’s top cop was forced into extra training after accidentally firing his gun during a heroin raid in 1990, but was not disciplined, the state’s anti-corruption body says.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has been cleared of any wrongdoing by an ICAC investigation over claims he allegedly twice discharged his firearm in the early 1990s while on duty – and that neither instance was reported or investigated.
An investigation by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption in July found the alleged breaches had been proven wrong.
Mr Stevens had outed himself as firing the gun once, after the Sunday Mail reported in June a high-ranking officer was being investigated when their weapon was discharged during the raid.
The ICAC found, however, the second firing did not occur and the first was reported.
“The Commission’s investigation established that, in December 1990, when he was a Senior Constable stationed at Elizabeth CIB, Commissioner Stevens was involved in a raid on a property at which it was suspected that drugs were being sold,” ICAC Commissioner Emma Townsend said. “While attempting to gain entry, his firearm discharged accidentally. No one was injured and damage to the property was repaired by SA Police.
“The incident was reported on the day it occurred in accordance with the applicable procedures. It was thoroughly investigated in accordance with those procedures.”
“The second alleged incident involving the discharge of a firearm did not occur.
“Based on these facts, the Commission has determined that the alleged breaches of discipline have been refuted. The investigation has been closed.”
Ms Townsend said then-Senior Constable Stevens received additional training after the incident, but was not subject to any other disciplinary proceedings.
That outcome, she said, was “appropriate”.
On July 2, ICAC received a referral from the Office for Public Integrity with a report of alleged misconduct by Mr Stevens, days after the Sunday Mail report.
That same day, Mr Stevens outed himself on FIVEaa radio – confirming he was the officer at the centre of the internal inquiry.
On July 11, ICAC “decided to investigate the matter” – examining information from SAPOL, witness statements and “relevant documents”.
“In some circumstances, an independent investigation might be important for maintaining public confidence in SA Police and its investigations,” Ms Townsend said.
“Given the media coverage that these allegations received, I consider it appropriate to make this public statement to ensure that the South Australian community is made aware of the steps that have been taken to investigate this matter.
“I would like to assure the public that the allegations made regarding the conduct of the Commissioner of Police have been independently investigated and found to be without substance.”
Mr Stevens declined to comment to The Advertiser.
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Originally published as ICAC clears Police Commissioner Grant Stevens after he accidentally fired his gun during 1990 drug raid
