Queensland police find ‘no evidence’ officer spoke inappropriately to victim despite recording

Queensland police could find “no evidence” that an officer spoke inappropriately to a domestic violence victim, despite a recording of the conversation being broadcast on national television.

Guardian Australia reported in September that the officer told Julie* she could find other police to “harass” about her “petty domestic violence matter”. Part of the phone conversation was broadcast on television show The Project in November. The footage remains available online.

After the Guardian Australia story, South Brisbane police began investigating the allegation that the officer spoke to Julie inappropriately. Julie was sent a letter earlier this month informing her that “there is no evidence to support the allegations made”.

Police also found no evidence to support a second allegation; that officers had delayed investigating an incident involving Julie’s former husband, resulting in footage being lost.

Julie complained to police on 2 March about an incident involving her violent former husband at the Southport courthouse. More than three weeks later, on 27 March, police requested a copy of the relevant CCTV footage from the protective services branch. By that time, the footage had been taped over.

The internal investigation was conducted by local police at South Brisbane, not the police ethical standards command.

Julie has spent most of the past two years campaigning for charges to be laid against a senior sergeant, Neil Punchard, who accessed her personal details from the police data system and sent them to her violent former husband.

Punchard was charged with nine counts of computer hacking in December and will face court later this month.

Julie is also in the process of seeking compensation from the Queensland police for breach of privacy, and has a matter before the Queensland civil and administrative tribunal.

Police said they would not comment on the adequacy of the most recent internal investigation as “aspects of this matter” were before the tribunal.

Julie told Guardian Australia that statement from police was misleading and that the breach of privacy case had “absolutely nothing to do” with the matters under investigation by South Brisbane police.

“It’s completely unacceptable for there to be no follow through,” Julie said. “It’s another dud investigation leading to a dead end. Once again there’s no accountability.”

• Julie is a pseudonym used to protect the victim’s identity. She has also been referred to as Elizabeth in previous reporting about her case.

• If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au