‘It was awful’- Annie’s worst fears came true after she accused her police officer partner of DV

Since 2017, a troubling trend has emerged in New South Wales, where 120 officers have been charged with domestic violence offenses. Despite this, many advocates believe that victims are often too intimidated to come forward and report their experiences.

Annie*, who was in a relationship with a police officer for over ten years, recalls a time filled with manipulation and abuse. When she finally found the courage to report her allegations of domestic violence, the investigation was assigned to a different command than the one her partner worked in. However, she soon discovered that some officers in that command had a personal connection with him. “At that point, I felt like my concerns wouldn’t be taken seriously,” she shared.

Living in New South Wales, Annie recounted how police pressured her not to pursue her allegations any further. Although her partner was arrested, no charges were ever filed. When she reported his repeated calls, which she believed violated the apprehended domestic violence order she had against him, an officer dismissed her concerns, labeling her as a “vexatious ex-spouse” trying to stir up trouble.

“It was awful,” she expressed. “You go to the police hoping for protection, only to realize they are more interested in protecting their own.”

Data released by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws reveals that, as of now, ten officers have faced 62 domestic violence charges in 2024 alone, following a year in which 21 officers were charged. Since 2017, the total number of officers charged has reached 120. However, details on convictions remain murky. In August, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb informed parliament that of the nine officers charged this year, one had been convicted, one received a non-conviction, while the cases of seven were still pending in court.

Sam Lee, a solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre in Sydney, suggests that the actual rate of domestic violence within police ranks could be even higher. She believes victim-survivors are often hesitant to report abuse when the alleged perpetrator wears a badge. Many seek support from legal centers like hers, where they often describe being dismissed or feeling too scared to file a report. “They’re very afraid of the consequences,” Lee noted.

The unique situation faced by victims of police officers is exacerbated by fears surrounding access to firearms and personal information. Annie articulated her concerns: “Given my ex-partner’s rank, I worried he could ask others to gather information about me without it being linked to him.”

In response to allegations, NSW Police stated that if an officer is charged with a domestic violence offense but remains on duty, access to police databases is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the nature of the allegations. The officers’ firearms are also secured under strict protocols.

Last year, a police watchdog report recommended that police should not investigate potential offenders within their own command, citing concerns about perceived impartiality. However, the police did not endorse this recommendation, citing practical challenges. The report highlighted the necessity for independent investigations, similar to those launched by Victoria Police in 2021.

Annie believes that investigations of this nature should never be conducted by police, even if a different command is involved. “There is that mentality of ‘brothers in blue, protect our own,’” she said. She insists that investigations should be performed by an independent taskforce or, preferably, by the police watchdog.

Katrina Ironside from Women’s Legal Service NSW shares similar sentiments, arguing for alternative independent reporting and investigation mechanisms. She pointed out that many survivors of domestic violence feel unsafe reporting to the police, often feeling their concerns are dismissed.

In response to these issues, a spokesperson for NSW Police emphasized their commitment to improving responses to domestic and family violence. They noted the establishment of a reform project focusing on the well-being of victims and the development of a specialized Domestic and Family Violence Registry to enhance strategies for prevention and investigation.

*Names have been altered to protect identities.

For support, the national family violence counseling service in Australia can be reached at 1800 737 732, while in the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).