Add Category
Updated
Australian Federal Police (AFP) recruits are under investigation for throwing a party at their residential college in Canberra in apparent breach of the strict coronavirus regulations their senior colleagues are now enforcing.
Key points:
- The AFP says it's aware of an "internal recruit gathering" held at its training college in Barton
- Confirmation of the AFP investigation came after the ABC obtained video of the event
- It's not clear how many of the recruits are now facing investigation
The AFP confirmed it was aware of an "internal recruit gathering" at its training college in the Canberra suburb of Barton late on Friday.
"ACT Police can confirm it attended a gathering at the AFP College on Friday evening and spoke with those involved," an AFP spokesperson told the ABC.
"The matter has been handed to the AFP to investigate further and take any action deemed necessary. The matter is currently being investigated."
It's not clear how many cadets were found to be at the party or how many of the recruits are now facing investigation.
For several weeks, federal police and their state colleagues have had an increasingly visible presence across Australia, enforcing new coronavirus guidelines aimed at preventing large social gatherings.
Confirmation of the AFP investigation came after the ABC obtained video of the event, taken by a neighbouring resident who was concerned the recruits were not complying with social-distancing rules.
The AFP said it expected its members to comply with the law and relevant health directions.
"Any breaches of the code of conduct will be dealt with in line with AFP professional standards framework," it said.
"Any identified alleged breaches in behaviour by AFP recruits will be deemed totally unacceptable and will be subject to disciplinary actions."
An AFP spokesperson confirmed all current residents of the AFP College in Canberra were AFP recruits in training and insisted they were isolated as much as possible while in their residence and at designated training areas.
"The AFP is fully aware of social distancing requirements and the recruits at the AFP College have been fully briefed on all COVID-19 requirements, including social distancing."
What the experts are saying about coronavirus:
Topics: covid-19, diseases-and-disorders, health, infectious-diseases-other, health-administration, police, law-crime-and-justice, canberra-2600, australia, act
First posted