AFP recruits sanctioned for breaching coronavirus social-distancing rules at college party


AFP recruits sanctioned for breaching coronavirus social-distancing rules at college party

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner has confirmed 53 recruits who breached social-distancing rules at a late-night party have been handed sanctions, but none have lost their jobs over the incident.

Speaking at a Senate inquiry into COVID-19, Reece Kershaw said 76 recruits were investigated over the affair.

“Of those, 53 have had sanctions against [them], two were also given show-cause notices, which is pretty serious,” he said.

“Whilst [the two] haven’t lost their jobs, they have been given sanctions and the internal investigation is finalised.”

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Show-cause notices require individuals to explain in writing why disciplinary action, including loss of employment, should not be taken against them.

The trainees were reported after throwing a party at their residential college in Canberra at the beginning of April.

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Confirmation of the AFP’s investigation came after the ABC obtained video of the event, taken by a neighbour.

The Commissioner said all 53 also had to individually respond to questions from his office about their behaviour.

“They know our expectations and how disappointed we were.”

Several AFP sources told the ABC at the time that some members of the group reacted badly when confronted by ACT Police about their actions, saying they believed they could party as they all lived in the same accommodation.

The trainees who attended the noisy gathering in breach of the coronavirus regulations are enrolled in a course for prospective protective services officers.

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