A senior police officer committed serious misconduct after repeatedly searching for a group of female social media influencers on his work device, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has found.<\/p>\n
The watchdog released its findings into the investigation today, which followed a wider review of police devices<\/a> for potentially pornographic or concerning material<\/a>, prompted by revelations involving former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming.<\/p>\n Carried out earlier this year, the review identified four cases requiring further investigation, with the IPCA overseeing each one.<\/p>\n According to the IPCA, the first investigation to be completed found a senior officer had conducted a large number of searches involving a small number of female influencers and social media accounts, both while on and off duty.<\/p>\n The searches were not initially considered pornographic but concerns centred on their “high volume” and the officer’s repeated interest in particular accounts. <\/p>\n Cyber security investigators were brought in to collect evidence of the searches and material viewed. <\/p>\n Police determined the officer’s sustained and repetitive searches breached police policy and its code of conduct, demonstrating poor judgement and a lack of professional boundaries. His actions were deemed serious misconduct. <\/p>\n Following a request from the officer, a further review of a sample of his searches identified images subsequently classified as pornographic, adult or mature content.<\/p>\n A subsequent employment process was carried out, with police confirming to 1News the officer remained employed by the organisation. <\/p>\n “The authority was satisfied with the police investigation and agrees with the outcome reached,” the IPCA said. <\/p>\n Three other investigations remained under the watchdog’s oversight. <\/p>\n The wider scrutiny of police devices followed revelations that former deputy commissioner McSkimming<\/a> had accessed objectionable material <\/a>using police-issued equipment.<\/p>\n McSkimming pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child exploitation and bestiality images last year, and was sentences to nine months home detention.<\/p>\n The scandal prompted police commissioner Richard Chambers to order a rapid review of the organisation’s technology and security controls.<\/p>\n That review identified weaknesses in monitoring and governance, and recommended urgent changes to prevent staff accessing harmful content on police devices. <\/p>\n