NSW Police Officer Faces Legal Action Over Gambling and Family Gold Sale

Investigation into Gambling and Gold Sale

Authorities in New South Wales have raised serious concerns about the impact of gambling addiction on police integrity following a detailed investigation known as Operation Dartmoor. The inquiry was launched under the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Act 2016, focusing on allegations involving a police officer’s gambling issues and related questionable financial activities.

Suspicious Financial Activities and Operation Details

The investigation targeted an officer identified by the pseudonym “DAR”, who was found to have sold gold valued at over a million dollars. This gold was reportedly taken from a family member during a period when the officer was struggling with an uncontrollable gambling addiction.

The probe began after the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre flagged suspicious banking transactions linked to the officer, including large gold sales to a bullion dealer suspected of money laundering connections.

The Commission carried out an extensive investigation involving detailed analysis of the officer’s financial records and covert surveillance. They discovered the officer placing high-value bets on online gambling sites, which led to a search of his residence where a significant quantity of gold was seized.

Interviews with private witnesses were also conducted as part of the ongoing investigation, which began the previous year.

Concerns Raised by Police Watchdog

Peter Johnson SC, chief commissioner of the police oversight body, highlighted the risks gambling addiction poses, particularly how it can make officers vulnerable to exploitation and misconduct. Although the officer was ultimately found not to be involved in money laundering, the investigation focused on whether serious misconduct occurred in the acquisition and sale of the family gold.

The seized gold, comprising 14 bars and 20 coins believed to originate from South Africa, had reportedly been hidden for decades in an ice-cream container beneath the family home.

Family members claimed the gold came from the officer’s grandfather’s superannuation fund, but this was difficult to verify, as the grandfather’s retirement savings were modest. Additionally, the gold was said to have passed to the officer’s uncle, who had a history of criminal activities including drug offenses.

Recommendations for Policy Changes

It was revealed that the officer had known gambling problems when he joined the force in 2019 but failed to disclose them. This has led the Commission to recommend that NSW Police require new recruits to declare any gambling issues upfront at the time of joining.

The watchdog also called for the establishment of a dedicated policy on gambling addiction to safeguard officers and maintain the integrity of the police force.

“It is essential for NSW Police to implement robust measures that protect officers from vulnerabilities related to gambling and other addictions,” Commissioner Johnson stated.

Outcome and Potential Legal Consequences

Despite the officer’s claim that the gold belonged to his family and was not stolen, evidence indicated he was aware that the gold was not his to sell. He also reportedly concealed the source of his wealth from a bullion dealer and an online gambling platform.

The Commission concluded this conduct amounted to serious misconduct and referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The officer, who resigned in August 2022, now faces possible legal action.

NSW Police has responded by reviewing the Commission’s recommendations to address these issues moving forward.