A former NRL star turned police officer who was fired for refusing a Covid vaccine has made an emotional plea to reclaim his job.
Father-of-five Justin Poore was fired from the NSW Police after the commissioner issued a directive in September 2021 that all officers be vaccinated against Covid.
NSW Police have reinstated unvaccinated officers who resigned due to the mandate, but Mr Poore and about 100 other officers who were forced out have been denied their jobs.
“They’re not vaccinated, I’m not vaccinated, so I don’t understand the problem,” Mr Poore told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday.
A recent Queensland Supreme Court ruling found that vaccine orders for police in that state breached the Human Rights Act, but there has currently been no similar ruling in other states or territories.
Former NRL player turned agent Justin Poore is fighting back for his job after being sacked when he refused to get a mandatory Covid jab
A Queensland court has ruled that mandatory Covid vaccines for police in that state were illegal (Photo: A nurse preparing a vaccine dose in Sydney in 2021)
Mr Poore joined the force after playing for the St George-Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels in the NRL and representing NSW in the 2009 State of Origin.
He played briefly in the British Super League, but a knee injury forced him to retire in 2014.
He said he has since received a number of awards for his police service, but was unceremoniously suspended for ‘serious misconduct’ after refusing to get a Covid jab.
“I would like my job back,” he said.
“I have model police officers giving me references, ex-NRL coaches – they have all stood up for my character and who I am as a person.”
Legendary NRL coach Wayne Bennett was among those who provided a reference.
“I sent that to (NSW Police) Commissioner (Karen) Webb and I haven’t heard anything in a month.”
The father-of-five played for the Dragons and the Eels in the NRL (pictured with his wife)
Mr Poore said new recruits to the force would not be required to be vaccinated against Covid.
“As we have heard from the Queensland court ruling, this is a breach of human rights. As a police officer, the first thing you learn in the academy is to uphold human rights,” he said.
“Recruitment is down and you have a hundred good, experienced police officers willing to come back and they say ‘no’.”
“Commissioner Webb simply needs to change this statement.
‘I’m a plumber by trade, so I’m back to using the tools, but a lot of other police officers don’t have that luxury, it’s disgusting how we were treated.”
Mr Poore said his five children, aged from 2 to 9, often ask him why he is no longer a police officer.
‘It’s still a question I can’t answer without choking up.
“I made a choice where I thought the mandates were wrong.
“I just want my job back,” he said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment.