Mahoney and Commissioner of Police [2003] NSWIRComm 67

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION : Mahoney and Commissioner of Police [2003] NSWIRComm 67 APPLICANT: PARTIES : Phillip Mahoney RESPONDENT: Commissioner of Police FILE NUMBER: 6372 of 2002 CORAM: Sams DP Review of disciplinary action against police officer - s173 order under the Police Act 1990 - Commission's powers of review - reviewable and non reviewable action - whether order harsh, unreasonable or unjust - onus on applicant - admissions of untruthfulness and forgery of superintendent's signature - misconduct over a long period - loss of increments - Conduct Management Plan - whether removal from EDO duties to general duties constitutes reviewable action - officer involved in major traumatic incidents - personal and family traumas - effect on health - police psychologist's report - other medical evidence - applicant's contrition - past record - bravery awards and commendations - lesser penalty than originally proposed - applicant "worth saving" - Conduct Management Plan not implemented - failure to provide all documents relevant to decision - legislation and principles - relationship to Industrial Relations Act - public interest - interests of applicant. CATCHWORDS : Held, definition of harsh, unreasonable or unjust same as found in Industrial Relations Act - link to s181E of the Act - consistent medical evidence - psychologist's report not given sufficient weight - deep sense of remorse and contrition - character witnesses persuasive - meritorious record - applicant's onus discharged - public interest not affected - other matters taken into account - unnessecary to decide if removal from EDO duties constitutes reviewable action - applicant unable to return to EDO duties - medical clearance required and completion of Conduct Mangement Plan - recommendation that applicant be returned to EDO duties when appropriate - loss of increments order revoked. LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1996 Police Act 1990 Bankstown City Council v Paris (1999) 93 IR 209 Burrows v Commissioner of Police [2001] NSWIRComm 333 Byrne & Anor v Australian Airlines (1995) 61 IR 32 Cassel v Commissioner of Police [2003] NSWIRComm 73 Container Terminals Australia v Xeras (1991) 23 NSWLR 214 Electricity Commission of New South Wales v Crump (1993) 48 IR 296 Heape v General George Carpets Pty Ltd[2002] NSWIRComm 146 CASES CITED : Jankowski v Excellent Management Services Pty Ltd[2003] NSWIRComm 32 Kennedy v Cumnock No.1 Colliery Pty Ltd (2001) 104 IR 378 Laird v Commissioner of Police [2001] NSWIRComm 253 Metropolitan Meat Industry Board v Australian Meat Industry Employees' Union, New South Wales Branch (1973) 73 AR 231 Newton v NSW Police Service (1999) 87 IR 66 Outboard World v Muir (1993) 51 IR 167 Regina v Maxwell NSWCCA 23 December 1998 Van Huisstede v Commissioner of Police (2000) 98 IR 57 Wells v Commissioner of Police (2000) 100 IR 106 HEARING DATES: 04/28/2003; 04/29/2003 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 05/29/2003