A senior NSW police officer who allegedly drunkenly crashed his car in a Sydney tunnel and fled to avoid being breath tested has been found to have engaged in “serious misconduct” by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
The senior police officer, known only as AB, crashed an unmarked police car into a barricade on the NorthConnex ramp in May 2023 while allegedly drunk before leaving the car in Wahroonga and going home. 
CCTV suggests AB drank 13 schooners and eight spirits over 8.5 hours at a venue in The Rocks before allegedly getting behind the wheel. 
He was charged with driving under the influence and driving with a high-range PCA between November 8 and 11, 2023.
A media release was not issued by the NSW Police following his charges, however, they were later made public by 9News court reporter Tiffiny Genders.
There were also allegations that the officer lied on his insurance form following the crash. 
Today, the LECC found that the senior officer had purposely engaged in misconduct for “deliberately leaving the scene of a car crash he caused” to “avoid being breath tested”.
A second finding of misconduct was made against officer AB for “being deliberately dishonest in his answers on the insurance claim form for the car he crashed”.
“Neither was a split-decision,” the report read.
“At the time, he held a prestigious position in the NSW Police Force … these were deliberate acts of impropriety.”
The commission also found AB was treated “more leniently” by his commander in the police review of his driving and also in the decision to not issue a media release when he was charged.
His colleagues were also found to have deleted messages and calls from encrypted apps to avoid handing them over to investigators.
“The favourable treatment led to other police officers losing confidence in the integrity of the NSW Police Force,” the report said. 
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said she was taking the report’s findings “very seriously”.
“I have commenced an internal complaints process against that officer … we will consider all the findings in the report,” she said.
“This is a dark day for us … I’ve already referred this matter to the Professional Standards Command.
“The officer is currently not in the workplace, but he is still employed … (the LECC) have recommended that I consider (his) removal (from the force).”
Webb said a decision about the officer’s employment will not be made until the proper process is followed as the matter is still before the courts.
The officer is still being paid a full wage.
The commission found no evidence of interference in the police investigation of the crash.
Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC said the public and other police have a right to know if the senior officer was dealt with fairly.
“The general public wants to know if a police officer is dealt with in the same way as the ordinary citizen. But there is a second important audience,” Johnson said.
“Other NSW Police Force officers watch to see if senior officers are dealt with in the same way as junior officers.
“If there is not equitable treatment of all police, it can lead to dissatisfaction in the ranks of the police generally.”
The drink driving charges against AB are yet to be finalised.
