Veteran Victoria Police officer escapes charges for alleged nazi salutes
A police officer will not face criminal charges for allegedly performing the nazi salute twice following advice from state prosecutors.
The veteran police sergeant allegedly made the banned gesture at the Victoria Police Academy at Glen Waverley, in Melbourne’s southeast, on successive days in October.
In a statement on Wednesday, Victoria Police said the criminal investigation into the allegations had ended after it sent a brief of evidence to the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP).
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We have since received advice from OPP that, based on the circumstances, there is no reasonable prospect of conviction,” it said.
“This ends the criminal component of the investigation, and the sergeant will now be subject to an internal discipline investigation.
“The police officer continues to be suspended while the internal discipline investigation process proceeds.”
The family violence centre instructor was accused of approaching two employees and performing the salute, as well as uttering the words “Heil Hitler”.
The following day, in a post-family violence scenario debriefing with a recruit squad and another instructor, the sergeant again allegedly performed the salute and said “Heil Hitler”.
She was suspended with pay and interviewed by Professional Standards Command detectives.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said there was no place for the alleged “abhorrent” actions in society, let alone the state’s police force.
“The motive doesn’t matter,” he told reporters at the time.
“The conduct should not, cannot and will not be tolerated, and it just shouldn’t have occurred.”
Mr Patton apologised to the Jewish and broader community, saying many would undoubtedly feel let down by the officer’s alleged behaviour,.
“It lets down our reputation,” he said.
“It disappointed me, it made me angry.”
State and federal governments have banned nazi symbols and gestures following concerns of rising anti-Semitism.
Far-right extremist and self-proclaimed “Hitler soldier” Jacob Hersant became the first Victorian found guilty of intentionally performing the nazi salute in public in October.
He was sentenced to one month in prison but freed on bail pending an appeal.
In Victoria, performing the nazi salute in public can carry a sentence of up to 12 months in prison and or a $23,000 fine if proven.
