Police officer ‘hung out to dry’ – Dunne

The publication of the name and photograph of the officer involved in the fatal shooting of Stephen Bellingham should never be allowed to happen again, according to UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne.

“This is a disgraceful example of gutter journalism, which undermines the honourable convention of our main media outlets not to name individual police for actions taken in the line of duty,” says Mr Dunne.

“This case exposes that fact that police and other public servants need better protection. It is not fair on the officer or his family to be publicly identified because of actions performed in his role as a police officer.

“We need to protect those who are protecting the community – not allow them to be hung out to dry,” says Mr Dunne.

“More seriously, having his name published leaves the officer and his family wide open to unnecessary danger and possible retribution.

“What if police are called to an out-of -control patched gang member? Will police have in the back of their mind that any action taken may lead to their full name and photograph being splashed over the front page of the paper tomorrow, for the rest of the gang to see?

“Our police and other public servants on frontline deserve better,” says Mr Dunne.

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