New Delhi:
Four police officers in Australia have been dismissed while seven officers have been fined for circulating racist emails, including one that contained footage of a man being electrocuted while travelling on a train in India. Australia's envoy to India has welcomed the action. The Australian High Commission released a press statement regarding the same.
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The Australian High Commissioner, Mr Peter Varghese, today welcomed the strong action taken by the Victoria Police in dismissing four officers following disciplinary hearings in relation to the circulation of inappropriate and offensive emails on Victoria Police computers in 2009.
Of the four policemen dismissed, one was involved in the circulation of an email with offensive footage of an Indian man being electrocuted. The only other police officer involved in the circulation of this email is on extended sick leave.
Mr Varghese said the dismissal reflected the seriousness with which the Victoria Police had taken the matter and reinforced that sending the email was unacceptable.
The other three officers were dismissed for circulating pornographic material unrelated to this email.
The dismissals are part of Operation Barrot which was established in June this year to investigate a series of emails which had been circulated on the Victoria Police system.
The four members dismissed today were two Sergeants, one Leading Senior Constable and one Senior Constable. A further seven members, all ranging between the ranks of Senior Constable and Senior Sergeant, have been fined between $500 and $3000 and placed on 12 month good behaviour bonds.
Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne, of the Ethical Standards Department said:
"It is always regrettable when we have to dismiss officers - these are decisions that are never taken lightly. However, the community has high expectations of its officers and we have a duty to ensure that our members act with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Given the circumstances, the action we have taken was both appropriate and entirely justified."
Victoria Police will continue to audit its email system to detect any emails of concern and work to educate its members, and remind them of their responsibilities regarding the appropriate use of the email system.