The Sydney police officer son of a renowned former NSW detective has remained at work and playing for a police rugby league team despite being charged with nearly a dozen domestic violence assault and stalking offences.
Brendan Oxford, 35, is also accused of using the police database to look up information on his alleged victim.
His father, former detective chief inspector Russell Oxford, retired from NSW Police in 2021 after four decades of service and helped to solve some of the state’s most infamous rapes and murders.
Brendan Oxford was charged last year with eight counts of domestic-violence-related common assault, two counts of stalking or intimidating intending fear of physical harm, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Ten offences were against one alleged victim, with another domestic violence assault offence against one of her relatives.
His alleged offences spanned three years across three separate locations, and his alleged victim has been granted an Apprehended Violence Order for her protection.
Police officer Brendan Oxford has been charged with 11 domestic-violence related offences.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Oxford has also been charged with four counts of accessing or modifying restricted data held in a computer after looking up a series of people, car registrations and addresses.
He has pleaded guilty to one count of accessing or modifying restricted data and not guilty to the remaining 14 charges.
His domestic-violence-related charges have been partly heard, with proceedings to continue in Blacktown court on May 30. His restricted data charges will be heard at Windsor court on July 7.
A NSW Police spokesperson said Oxford, who has been stationed in commands in Sydney’s west, is working under restricted station-based duties and has had his access to firearms revoked. He is also subject to monitored access to internal NSW Police Force computer databases.
“The decision whether to suspend an officer is based on a risk assessment, and that decision rests with the relevant delegate,” the spokesperson said.
On Thursday, Oxford represented the Penrith police rugby league team in the annual police rugby league state championships in Newcastle. A video shared on social media showed Oxford leading the team’s chant in the locker room after one of the games.
The NSW Police spokesperson said Oxford was on annual leave during the rugby competition: “All current employees of the NSW Police Force can participate in NSWPF sporting clubs. Most clubs are open to current, retired, and disengaged staff,” the spokesperson said.
According to figures provided by NSW Police, 15 officers have been charged with domestic violence offences in the 12 months to March 31.
An independent review is currently under way into the NSW Police Force culture, following a series of reports outlining how a “boys’ club” protected abusers and silenced victims.
The review’s findings, recommendations and executive summary will be made public, with the first reports due at the end of the year.
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