Detectives from Tasmania Police's Family and Sexual Violence Command have travelled to Queensland to charge a 74-year-old former police sergeant with child sex offences.
The man was held for court in Queensland and has been subsequently bailed to appear before the Burnie Magistrates Court on 4 February 2025, on the charge of Persistent Sexual Abuse of a Young Person.
The charge relates to abuse allegedly committed in the 1980s, when the man was a serving Tasmania Police officer.
"Tasmania Police recognises the abhorrent and deeply disturbing nature of the charges. As the case is before the courts, we cannot provide further comment however we strongly urge anyone with information about child sexual abuse, regardless of the passage of time, to come forward," Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood said.
People can report directly to police on 131 444, or by visiting a police station. You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.
Anyone can report concerns or incidents involving police at our Child and Youth Safe web page: dpfem.tas.gov.au/childsafe. Information can be provided anonymously.
Matters can also be reported directly to the Integrity Commission or the Office of the Independent Regulator.
Support for victim survivors is available through Arch, and people have the choice of reporting this way too - if they want to.
The Tasmanian Government's Keeping Children Safe website is available at https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/
Support services are available via https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/get-support/
