Cop this load of pornography: Top cop faces child pornography charge.
A senior New South Wales (Australia) policeman has been charged with possessing child pornography after being investigated by the force’s corruption watchdog. A serious charge indeed following a serious investigation. Mr Porn Cop has been suspended on full pay pending defence at a hearing.
While it is not know what amount of child pornography was allegedly found on the senior police person’s computer or how it got there, obviously the investigation assessed it as more than a mere accident or vexatious send.
Under the Act, one of the defences for the charge is if the defendant was a law enforcement officer acting in the course of his or her official duties.
It is also defensible if “the material concerned came into the defendant’s possession unsolicited and the defendant, as soon as he or she became aware of its pornographic nature, took reasonable steps to get rid of it”.
Is this a point of law, a smoke screen or the naked truth. I am grateful that I do not have to make these decisions or even prove guilt or innocence. I do however have my own thoughts and biases. My bias is fueled by the blatant disregard for child protection that I see daily. So many people appear to accept porn as a normal part of life – as though viewing is not doing (yes, I understand the legal differences here).
What do you think? Should this senior police person have been suspended with pay and have his name and face plastered all over the International news? If he is found not guilty his life and career may have been destroyed. But…I cannot move past that a not guilty verdict does not necessarily mean not guilty – it can mean insufficient evidence to convict.
Your say: Should this senior police person have been suspended on pay and have his name and face plastered all over the International news?
That’s a really hard call, isn’t it?
Obviously we don’t know everything as there is an ongoing investigation, however I do agree with the suspension for the duration.
As far as media coverage is concerned, I feel it is a real shame that media vultures get the chance to try suspects before the justice department has even begun.
If this man is found guilty of a crime then great, put it out there for all to see; tar and feather him, by all means!
If he’s really not guilty though, a lot of the mud will still stick.
~ Just my two cents worth
This corrupt dog should be shot and set on fire! Dirty low life!