Cop who snuck daughter across border now a council bus driver

A former police officer who slipped his daughter over the closed Queensland-NSW border during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has avoided jail.

The ex-senior constable escorted his daughter through the Gold Coast checkpoint on his police motorbike because she had become depressed and suicidal while working in NSW.

Maddie Eickenloff was let over the Queensland border by her father, who was a police officer at the height of the pandemic.Credit: File image

Robert William Eickenloff, 56, had been facing up to seven years in prison for the misconduct in public office.

He was suspended without pay in September 2021, resigned in March and had since found work as a Brisbane council bus driver.

Eickenloff’s daughter, Maddie, worked as a ski instructor at Thredbo in south-west NSW from June-September 2021.

During that time, in addition to being away from her family in Queensland, the 20-year-old had trouble with her work and living arrangements.

Robert Eickenloff leaves Brisbane District Court after avoiding jail and instead being ordered to do community service.Credit: Toby Crockford

Barrister Troy Schmidt, representing Eickenloff in Brisbane District Court on Thursday, referred to a report from Maddie’s psychologist, which said she developed “a major depressive disorder” with suicidal thoughts.

After finishing at Thredbo, she applied for a pass to return to Queensland and while she was awaiting a decision, she drove to the border.

She reached it on September 15, 2021, where her father – a motorbike traffic officer – was guarding the checkpoint.

Robert Eickenloff with daughter Maddie.Credit: Facebook

“You essentially gave your daughter a police escort through the border checkpoint,” Judge John Allen said.

“You told one of the officers stationed at the checkpoint: ‘I’ve checked the vehicle behind, all her paperwork, and she’s all good.’

“You continued to drive through the checkpoint and your daughter was waved through the checkpoint by the other officer.

“It is likely that had you not intervened ... she may well have been prevented from crossing the border.”

The policeman’s colleague at the checkpoint noticed Maddie’s car was heavily loaded and looked like she was moving house. She reported the incident to her superior.

Eickenloff was later charged and suspended from duty, while Maddie was fined $4135 and ordered into mandatory hotel quarantine.

Schmidt said Eickenloff was acting “as a loving dad” who was “extremely concerned about his daughter’s suicide risk”.

Schmidt also said Eickenloff’s mental state was exacerbated by undiagnosed PTSD and one of his friends had lost a daughter to suicide previously.

“Clearly he is deeply remorseful for his conduct … he has also repeatedly apologised to his former colleagues [police officers] for his actions,” he said.

Schmidt said Eickenloff had worked as a council bus driver for the past two months. The council was aware of his court case and would review his job after sentencing.

Sentencing him to 120 hours’ community service, the judge commented that Eickenloff had lost his police career and could lose his new job as a bus driver.

“Many people were affected by those restrictions. No one would have failed to have heard the stories of distress because of separation with family members, as a result of those restrictions,” he said.

“One might think those persons who suffered in that manner would be outraged that a police officer tasked with enforcing those laws used his position to avoid them.“

Anyone requiring help or support is encouraged to call 24-hour crisis support line Lifeline on 13 11 14.