The police commissioner has stated that he is obligated by law to reinstate an officer who was previously dismissed following a quashed rape conviction.
Karl O’Callaghan, who had earlier lost faith in the officer, noted that the officer’s identity cannot be disclosed due to legal constraints.
In 2008, the officer was dismissed after being convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl in Kalgoorlie, prior to his joining the police force.
However, following the overturning of his conviction, he launched an appeal to the Industrial Relations Commission, which ruled in favor of his reinstatement.
The matter was then taken by Mr. O’Callaghan to the Court of Appeal, which rejected his appeal.
Today, the commissioner released a brief two-line statement regarding the situation.
“Suffice to say that I have previously lost confidence in this officer, and none of these (court) decisions provides me with any guidance as to how my original loss of confidence can simply be regained,” he remarked.
“However, legally I must abide by the direction of the IRC.”
President of the Police Union, Russell Armstrong, commented that the officer should be reinstated and criticized the commissioner for squandering resources and time in appealing the IRC’s decision.
