Media Releases
Community safety put at risk by poor judicial decision
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is disappointed by yet another instance of a poor judicial decision endangering community safety in the ACT, after a 21-year-old man was arrested for serious and reckless driving offences after being granted bail less than 24 hours earlier.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury needed to urgently address bail and sentencing outcomes in the ACT before someone was killed or seriously injured by a recidivist offender.
“The alleged offender in this matter was bailed yesterday and was subject to a good behaviour order from 2022. He is now already back in custody for serious offences, which put the community and police officers at direct risk.
Bail after allegedly fracturing child’s skull
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is disgusted and horrified after a 29-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court after being accused of seriously injuring a four-year-old boy, allegedly leaving the child with a fractured skull and other injuries.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that the 29-year-old man was granted bail one day after the co-accused was also granted bail.
“The man was already on parole for serious offences and now gets bail after a four-year-old child in his care has allegedly been repeatedly struck with a blunt circular object, leaving him with a fractured skull and other injuries.
Statement regarding Brittany Higgins’ social media post
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) notes the social media post made by Ms Brittany Higgins regarding the conduct of ACT Policing members.
The Association refers to Mr Walter Sofronoff KC Inquiry that found while police investigating the allegations made mistakes, they acted in good faith and conducted a thorough investigation.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that ACT Policing had accepted nearly all the recommendations from the Inquiry without reservation and that two recommendations require further consultation.
ACT Government recommendations to Lehrmann Board of Inquiry
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) acknowledges and welcomes the ACT Government’s response to the final report by Mr Sofronoff KC regarding the Board of Inquiry into the Criminal Justice System in the ACT.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that the recommendations and the ACT Government’s response are sensible and will strengthen the ACT criminal justice system.
Statement regarding Lehrmann BOI findings
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) acknowledges the public reporting of the Sofronoff Report and urges the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr to release the report in its entirety.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that the public reporting confirms the suspicions the AFPA held regarding the trial of Mr Lehrmann.
“While we welcomed the Inquiry, we knew it would be the only way to reveal the truth. We were always confident that the investigating officers had conducted a thorough and professional investigation from day one. It’s disappointing that valuable ACT taxpayer money was spent due to allegations now found to be wholly false and made up. We thank Mr Sofronoff KC and the Inquiry Board for the way they conducted the Inquiry.
ACT Policing members assaulted and hospitalised
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is appalled by the violent assault on two ACT Policing (ACTP) members in Gungahlin yesterday.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said attacks on police officers occur far too often and that the ACT Government and ACT Attorney-General must start looking after first responders.
“These officers were just doing their job — no different to anyone else in the community — and have been viciously assaulted for their troubles.
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