The Age.
Richard Baker
July 7, 2009
Victoria Police has shut down a bullying investigation into a senior officer
embroiled in a bitter internal dispute at its troubled forensic science
laboratory.
The investigation into alleged bullying by the head of the laboratory's
forensic exhibit management unit, Senior Sergeant Mick Ritchie, was
nearing completion when police command suspended it in August last
year.
Documents show the inquiry was halted because the state Ombudsman
had decided to investigate misconduct allegations made under the
Whistleblowers Protection Act against scientists working in the drug and
alcohol branch of the Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre at Macleod.
The laboratory has been in turmoil in recent years, with officers responsible
for managing seized evidence and civilian scientists who analyse it unable to
work together. The Age reported yesterday how professional mediators
withdrew from a police dispute resolution program earlier this year after
they found it impossible to resolve the conflict.
The animosity between key staff threatens the lab's ability to provide
essential prosecution evidence.
It is believed the bullying inquiry into Senior Sergeant Ritchie was prompted
by complaints from staff in the drug and alcohol branch dating back to 2006.
An external consultant was engaged by police to examine the bullying claims
in June last year.
But less than two months later, one or more police officers contacted
Ombudsman George Brouwer to allege that drug and alcohol branch staff at
the lab had failed to properly handle millions of dollars worth of drugs held
there. Mr Brouwer has been investigating the drug and alcohol branch for
nearly 11 months.
The suspension of the bullying probe and the length of the Ombudsman's
inquiry has angered the Community and Public Sector Union, which
represents the laboratory's scientists and administrative staff.
Documents obtained by The Age show police command did not initially
tell lab staff why the bullying probe had been suspended.
An "in-confidence" memo written by acting Superintendent Philip Green
advised laboratory staff in August last year that the bullying investigation
had been stopped "in response to a relevant direction". The memo did not
say who the direction was from or what it was.
At that time, the bullying probe had been under way for two months and
was being conducted by an external consultancy firm, WorkMatters.
WorkSafe Victoria documents reveal Victoria Police claimed the inquiry was
suspended due to a request from Mr Brouwer, who reportedly feared it might
"overlap" with his investigation.
But the union disputed this, telling a WorkSafe inspector that Mr Brouwer's
staff had said the bullying inquiry could continue so long as it did not interfere
with their work.
Documents show that it was not until September 30 last year that Mr Brouwer
wrote to then deputy police commissioner Simon Overland to "formally request"
the suspension of the bullying inquiry.
WorkSafe last November deemed it appropriate for police to suspend the
bullying inquiry while the Ombudsman investigated drug and alcohol
branch staff.
Police command has promised the bullying inquiry will restart once the
Ombudsman's probe concludes.
However, law firm Maurice Blackburn, which is representing the union and
laboratory staff, has accused police command of ignoring the occupational
health and safety concerns of its workers for more than two years.
WCV's: Well well well, Isnt this an interesting turn of events!
When did the Police Force become entitled to decide what claims they will
investigate and what claims they wont? They are legislated by worksafe
Victoria just like the rest of us!
If a breach of the OH&S laws has been alledged or committed then
they should be enforced by worksafe to deal with it as the legislation
requires.
What makes them any differnet to the rest of us?
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