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Police claim harrassment

18 Sep, 2009 11:30 AM
Member for Goulburn Pru Goward is calling for an independent investigation into claims that female police officers were harassed and discrimated against in the Goulburn Area Command, after new claims were made public this week.

Liberal Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson told Parliament that two police women, a sergeant and senior constable, had come to her with a 30-page complaint against five policemen in the command.

The complaints relate to problems the officers had while working at the Crookwell and Tuena stations.

The woman have claimed they were sexually harassed, including being asked to participate in a threesome.

One said her locker was ransacked, her mail was intercepted and fellow officers sent sexually explicit emails about her.

Both officers have since left the Crookwell area. They are the subject of an internal investigation and face a possible loss of confidence from Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

"NSW Police can't comment further as there are criminal proceedings currently before the courts connected with this matter and there is a 181 process in train," a police media spokesman said.

These claims come just one month after Ms Goward said female officers at Bowral complained they were discriminated against because they were pregnant or young mothers.

"It suggests the problem is systemic and the leadership in Goulburn needs to step in," Ms Goward said.

"This is about leadership and corporate culture."

Ms Goward said because the problems in the Goulburn command were now so public the police would have to do something.

The issue should be looked at by the NSW Anti-discrimination board but this was not a body able to conduct an investigation into the matter, she said.

"There needs to be a thorough and rigorous enquiry to get to the bottom of this."

Ms Hodgkinson said she had written to new Police Minster Michael Daley seeking answers.

In the last few days more female officers in the command had come forward with claims of sexual discrimination.

"Any claim of this nature is very serious," Mr Daley said.

"I've been advised by NSW Police that the issues raised are currently being investigated. It's important this investigation is allowed to be carried out properly."

Ms Hodgkinson called on other female officers to come forward.

"Don't be shy. This is going to be a can of worms," she said.

The women said the harassment started two years ago but the situation become worse when two male officers accused of much of the abuse were moved to the same station as the senior constable.

Both women have been injured in the line of duty with the senior constable needing surgery to fuse her spine last year and the sergeant suffering a broken back.

NSW Police said women make up 28 per cent of sworn officers.

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Since when did Hodgkinson become a Liberal. Nobody in Yass wants Katrina around so why would the Libs want her?
Posted by Michael Cooke, 18/09/2009 2:27:31 PM

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