The state's law enforcement watchdog has found a senior NSW police officer engaged in serious misconduct when he allegedly fled the scene after crashing a work car while drunk. The new report also found the inspector was given special treatment by his superior officer, forcing the police commissioner to face tough questions
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00:00It's been labelled a dark day for the state's police force.
00:05The law enforcement watchdog has found that a senior police officer engaged in serious
00:10misconduct when he allegedly fled the scene after crashing a work car while he was drunk.
00:17The report also found the inspector was given special treatment by his superior officer.
00:22Crime reporter Leah Harris joins us now.
00:24Leah, what actually triggered this investigation?
00:26Jeremy, the high-ranking detective was charged late last year, nearly six months after an
00:31incident in Sydney's north.
00:33It's alleged he crashed an unmarked police car in the North Connex Tunnel after having
00:38a significant amount of alcohol with some fellow officers at two CBD venues.
00:42He then drove the damaged car a short distance away and abandoned it.
00:47He's been charged with high-range drink driving and has pleaded not guilty.
00:51His identity is being kept secret under a court order for the next 40 years.
00:56The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission today released its report into the handling of the
01:00internal investigation, which made two findings of serious misconduct against the officer.
01:06The first finding was for deliberately leaving the scene of a car crash to avoid being breath
01:11tested.
01:12The second finding was made for being deliberately dishonest in his answers on the internal insurance
01:17claim form for the car he crashed.
01:20The Commission also found the officer was treated more leniently by his commander, which
01:25led to other police officers losing confidence in the integrity of the police force.
01:30Police Commissioner Karen Webb held a press conference this afternoon to address the findings.
01:35This is a dark day for us, but as has been said and I've said, I've already referred
01:42this matter today to the Professional Standards Command.
01:46The report has recommended the Commissioner consider terminating this officer's employment,
01:51but it stopped short of recommending any further criminal charges.