Nowhere Safe to Report?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses allegations of sexual misconduct, workplace power imbalance and fear of reporting within policing. The allegations discussed have not been tested in court and have not been independently established. Identifying details have been deliberately withheld. A detailed anonymous email lands with Badge of Betrayal, containing serious allegations involving a serving female police officer and a more senior colleague. But this episode is about something bigger than one allegation. What happens when a police officer believes the person they may need to report has more power inside the organisation than they do? Who can they safely turn to? And what happens when serious information is known inside an organisation, but never becomes a formal complaint? We also return to our anonymous serving officer “Tom”, who tells us about something he describes as an “off-book investigation” — raising new questions about how allegations can be handled inside Tasmania Police and what records should exist when serious concerns are raised. As the Parliamentary Inquiry into Tasmania Police responses to allegations of officer misconduct continues, we ask a fundamental question: can a junior police officer report someone at the top and genuinely believe there will be no repercussions? SUPPORT OUR INVESTIGATION Help us continue independent investigative reporting and get additional material, updates and early access through Podshape True Crime on Patreon. Join Podshape True Crime on Patreon SUPPORT If anything raised in this episode affects you or someone you know, help is available. State-Wide Sexual Assault Support Line — 1800 697 877 24/7 support in Tasmania through Sexual Assault Support Service and Laurel House. 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732 Text 0458 737 732 for 24/7 domestic, family and sexual violence counselling and support. 1800RESPECT Lifeline — 13 11 14 Text 0477 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support. Lifeline Australia If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.

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