A member of a Victoria Police counter-terror investigations unit has been charged with accessing and possessing child abuse material, affecting matters he was involved in.
The 57-year-old public service employee, from Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services, was suspended with pay in August last year, but “resigned under investigation” in November, police said.
On Tuesday he was charged with two counts of misconduct in public office, four counts of access child abuse material, six counts of possess child abuse material, and 11 counts of fail to provide information under warrant.
He was charged on summons, meaning he was not required to apply for bail, and is living freely in the community until he faces Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 4.
“The investigation, undertaken by Professional Standards Command in conjunction with the Cybercrime Squad, worked with the OPP and DPP to understand the impact of the ongoing enquiry on any current investigations or court matters,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“Following the identification of a number of potentially affected matters, a formal review of the forensic data was conducted. This re-examination has been completed.
“At this stage it is believed all issues have been identified and reviewed and impacted parties have been notified.”
Header image credit: Victoria Police.
