Police officer accused of running checks on people connected to Richmond playersMark Buttler & Jon Ralph
Herald-Sun
March 28, 2015 10:30PMVICTORIA Police is investigating allegations that a former officer made unauthorised checks on people connected to Richmond footballers.
The ex-member, who is closely aligned to the Tigers, is under scrutiny for allegedly running the secret checks using the force’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) database.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands there is an allegation that names of friends and associates of players were inappropriately run through LEAP.
The club last night denied it had instigated any alleged background checking or received any such information.
Inappropriate use of LEAP is regarded as a serious breach by Victoria Police.
Scrutiny of the players’ relationships came in the period after then-bikie boss Toby Mitchell was invited into the club’s rooms late in the 2013 season.
Mitchell, who was at the time a senior member of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang, had been a guest of former Tiger Jake King.
This generated concern within the club about who was being permitted access to the rooms.
Asked about whether an investigation was in progress over checks connected to Richmond, a Victoria Police statement said: “Professional Standards Command is investigating allegations of inappropriate LEAP checks by a then serving Victoria Police member. The police member being investigated has since resigned from Victoria Police.
“As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale was adamant yesterday the club never asked for nor received any information that came from improper sources.
“I stand by our position. Clearly there was an inquiry into that set of circumstances which occurred last year,’’ Gale told the Sunday Herald Sun.
After Mitchell’s presence in the Richmond rooms in 2013, the Tigers were aware they needed to beef up their security and integrity services.
Richmond is one of a growing number of AFL teams increasing security checks given the recent controversies over betting, supplements use and the Australian Crime Commission’s warning about links with organised crime and sport.
The Tigers believe the former officer was standing down after a long career and was not forced out over the ongoing investigation.
Inappropriate use of LEAP by police officers is considered a serious disciplinary offence. Some police have in the past faced criminal charges over misuse of the system.
King retired at the end of last season but remains a friend of Mitchell.
The one-time Bandidos sergeant-at-arms is behind bars on remand over a raft of charges relating to an alleged $300,000 extortion, making threats to kill and assault.
http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/police-officer-accused-of-running-checks-on-people-connected-to-richmond-players/story-fnii5sms-1227282975703
