A former ACT Policing officer has been sentenced after driving a marked police car at 160km/h in a 60km/h zone in Canberra, an act that cost him his career and resulted in a two-year good behaviour order.
Details of the incident
The officer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was responding to a non-urgent call when he accelerated to 160km/h on a suburban street in the Canberra suburb of Belconnen in March 2023. The speed limit on the road was 60km/h. The marked police car was equipped with lights and sirens, but the officer did not activate them during the incident.
The officer was charged with driving at a speed dangerous to the public. He pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court in April 2024. The court heard that the officer had been a police officer for 12 years and had an otherwise unblemished record.
Sentencing and consequences
Magistrate Robert Cook sentenced the officer to a two-year good behaviour order, which requires him to be of good behaviour and not commit any further offences. The officer was also disqualified from driving for six months. However, the most significant consequence was the loss of his job; he resigned from ACT Policing after the incident.
According to the prosecutor, the officer's actions were a serious breach of trust and could have had catastrophic consequences. The officer's lawyer argued that he had been under significant stress at the time and had made a momentary error of judgment.
Impact on the community
The incident has raised concerns about police driving standards and accountability. ACT Policing issued a statement saying that the officer's behaviour was unacceptable and that they had taken appropriate action. The force also said they would review their training and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Local residents expressed shock at the speed involved. One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's terrifying to think a police car could be going that fast on our street. I'm glad no one was hurt."
Broader context
This case is not isolated. In 2022, a Victorian police officer was fined for driving at 180km/h in a 100km/h zone while responding to a non-urgent call. In 2023, a Queensland officer was suspended after being caught speeding at 150km/h in a 60km/h zone. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing emergency response needs with public safety.
The ACT Magistrates Court has made it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The good behaviour order serves as a warning to other officers that they are not above the law.
