Inside the extraordinary fight to keep the identity of an NSW Police detective inspector secret after he allegedly downed 20 drinks and got behind the wheel – as police boss denies ‘cover-up’
- Inspector, 46, charged with drink driving
- Not mentioned as part of a ‘specialist command’
- The police launch an extraordinary legal battle
- READ MORE: Scandal engulfs police force
NSW Police have waged an extraordinary legal battle to keep secret the name of a top officer who allegedly drank 20 alcoholic drinks before crashing and abandoning his car.
The unidentified 46-year-old senior police officer attended a function in The Rocks precinct in Sydney’s CBD in May this year before allegedly getting behind the wheel of his police-issued car while off-duty.
CCTV footage from The Rocks shows the officer drinking more than 20 alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel.
He allegedly collided with a barrier on the North Connex ramp at Wahroonga in Sydney’s Upper North Shore at 1.54am before abandoning the damaged car on a nearby street, 9News reported.
The unidentified 46-year-old police director reportedly attended a meeting in The Rocks precinct in Sydney’s CBD in May this year before getting behind the wheel of his police-issued car while off-duty (stock image) )
He is said to have collided with a barrier on the North Connex ramp (pictured) at Wahroonga in Syndey’s Upper North Shore at 1.54am.
It took six months for the detective to be charged with driving under the influence.
Once he was, it sparked a legal campaign to keep his identity secret, with top officers forced to reject suggestions there was a cover-up.
With media attention on the case, it can now be revealed the lengths to which police lawyers went to keep the man’s identity secret.
NSW Police sent several threatening emails warning that journalists could go to jail for publishing the man’s image.
On Thursday, a magistrate ruled that he can only be identified by the pseudonym ‘AB’, with police arguing that his real name would be suppressed for 40 years. The Sydney Morning Herald
Police have refused to reveal what laws could prevent the release of AB’s name and why they are being so secretive.
One legal email said his identity should be suppressed “due to recent events.”
In a last-ditch effort to muzzle the press, NSW Police filed a suppression application at Hornsby Local Court on Thursday.
Journalists and lawyers were asked to leave the court when the magistrate was told why AB’s identity should remain secret.
Magistrate Robert Williams ordered that the officer be known only as AB for the next two weeks until a full hearing can take place.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) was forced to deny on Wednesday that there was a cover-up
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was forced to deny on Wednesday that there was a cover-up.
“We had to wait for the legal process to take its course, and I can’t make that happen any faster,” she told 2GB radio.
“So I reject any suggestion that there is a cover-up or interference.”
On Tuesday, a NSW Police spokesperson said: “An off-duty police officer has been charged with aggravated drink-driving.”
‘After extensive investigation, a Future Service CAN (declaration of attendance at court) was issued to a 46-year-old man.
‘The off-duty inspector, attached to a specialized command, received a Future Service CAN driving under the influence and a Future Service CAN for driving with a high range PCA. He will appear at Hornsby Local Court on December 21, 2023.
“In response to questions about the conduct of the investigation, Commissioner Karen Webb immediately referred the matter to the Professional Standards Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) for investigation.”