Jewish leaders demand explanation after cop who allegedly performed Nazi salute has charges dropped
A decision not to criminally charge a police sergeant accused of giving the Nazi salute sends a “dangerous message.” Some may be above the law, says one critic.
A leading figure from the Jewish community has criticized the decision not to charge a police officer accused of giving the Nazi salute twice.
The veteran police sergeant is said to have made the forbidden gesture on consecutive days in October at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley, in Melbourne’s south-east.
The 65-year-old woman was accused of approaching two employees, greeting them and saying the words “heil Hitler.”
The next day, during a debriefing after a domestic violence scenario with a recruiting team and another instructor, the sergeant allegedly saluted again and said “heil Hitler.”
It prompted a swift reprimand from Victoria Police Chief Shane Patton, who called her alleged actions “appalling” and “appalling.”
But Victoria Police’s criminal case has been dropped after receiving advice from the Crown Prosecution Service that there was ‘no reasonable prospect of conviction’.
An internal discipline investigation has been launched and the sergeant remains suspended.
Jewish community leaders have called for an explanation as to why a veteran sergeant allegedly gave the Nazi salute after her charges were dropped (stock image)
The 65-year-old is said to have performed the salute twice on consecutive days at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley before saying the words ‘heil Hitler’ (stock image)
Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich, who for years lobbied governments to ban the salute, said he was shocked by the outcome given Mr Patton’s previous comments.
“This decision risks sending a dangerous and corrosive message – that some individuals, by virtue of their position, are above the law,” he told AAP.
Mr Abramovich said the “shameful” decision must be fully explained and made public, declaring Victorians have a right to know.
“I am shocked that an act so deeply offensive to Holocaust survivors and their descendants is being swept under the rug,” he said.
AAP has contacted the public prosecutor’s office for comment.
A Victorian Government spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to “comment” while the internal disciplinary process is underway.
“There is no place for this type of hurtful and divisive behavior and Victorians rightly expect the highest standards of behavior from police members,” she said.
Chief Constable Shane Patton (pictured) branded her alleged actions ‘appalling’, but charges were dropped by prosecutors due to an unreasonable ‘prospect of conviction’
State and federal governments have banned Nazi symbols and gestures due to concerns about rising anti-Semitism.
Far-right extremist and self-styled ‘Hitler soldier’ Jacob Hersant became the first Victorian to be found guilty of deliberately making the Nazi salute in public in October.
He was sentenced to one month in prison, but was released on bail pending an appeal.
In Victoria, performing the Nazi salute in public can carry a prison sentence of up to 12 months and/or a $23,000 fine if proven.