A Perth father is seeking answers after an off-duty police officer, accused of choking him during a road rage incident, was cleared of charges by WA Police.
Sean Beasley was driving his teenage daughter Sky home from school when he honked at a car that he claims cut him off in traffic.
He says what followed was a terrifying ordeal that left him bruised, shaken, and disillusioned with the justice system.
‘I beeped. I just wanted him to know that my car was there and that he was taking my space,’ Mr Beasley told A Current Affair.
‘Then he just kept coming across, just sailed across, and he just stuck his finger up straight away.’
Mr. Beasley recounts how the other driver, identified as off-duty Sergeant Glen Morey, left his car at the next stoplight, approached Beasley’s vehicle, and allegedly insulted him while making an inappropriate remark to his daughter.
‘I just kept telling him, go back to your car, mate, go back to your car. Don’t be an idiot,’ Mr Beasley said.
Photos taken by Sky reportedly show scratches on Mr Beasley’s neck and arms, as well as a torn shirt.
An image taken by Mr Beasley’s daughter, showing the alleged confrontation (pictured)
Despite this, WA Police’s Internal Affairs unit concluded there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to press charges against Sergeant Morey.
The officer has denied the allegations.
Mr. Beasley was shocked by the decision, particularly after the WA Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) concluded there was adequate evidence for the allegations to be tried in court.
The CCC’s conclusion was endorsed by the state’s Parliamentary Inspector, Matthew Zilko, who reportedly informed Mr. Beasley that sufficient prima facie evidence existed for a hearing by a magistrate.
In his annual report tabled in parliament, Zilko said it was ‘difficult to understand’ the decision made by WA Police.
‘There was ample evidence for a magistrate, as opposed to the [Internal Affairs Unit], to assess whether a crime had occurred,’ Mr. Zilko stated.
‘It was absurd. I had photos showing his hands around my throat… and the explanation given was “we can’t press charges because only one hand is visible”. It’s just nonsensical,’ Mr. Beasley said.
His daughter Sky, who witnessed the incident, said the experience left her shaken and distrustful of police.
Sky (left) and Sean Beasley (right) have slammed the decision which saw the officer cleared
WA’s CCC Parliamentary Inspector said it was ‘difficult to understand’ WA Police’s decision
WA Police confirmed that while no criminal charges were laid, ‘action was taken’ against the officer.
However, they declined to specify what that action entailed.
‘A managerial investigation ensued and action was taken against the officer in accordance with the Managerial Intervention Model. The complainant was advised of these outcomes,’ WA Police said.
‘The WA Police Force takes any findings or opinions of police misconduct seriously, and is committed to the highest standards of transparency, probity and accountability.’
Mr Beasley says he has exhausted all legal avenues and is now calling for greater powers for independent oversight bodies like the CCC to compel police to act on their findings.
‘The values and professionalism of WA Police officers must be upheld at all times, whether they are on or off duty,’ WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said.
‘The Police Commissioner and I expect the highest levels of integrity and behaviour from WA Police at all times.
‘All matters or opinions of police misconduct should be treated seriously and dealt with appropriately.’
