Doesn't seem right, does it?

[Fled74]

Herald Sun link

A SENIOR Australian Federal Police officer allegedly caught travelling at more than 40km/h over the speed limit escaped a fine after a fellow officer decided a warning was sufficient.

This was because the traffic was light and he was an experienced driver, according to documents seen by the Herald Sun.

The documents were produced after Richard Curie, a junior officer who pulled over off-duty Supt Eric Grimm for allegedly travelling at 120km/h in an 80km/h zone, complained he had been pressured to issue a warning notice and not a fine after he returned to his station.

Although the Professional Standards investigation concluded Constable Curie had not been improperly influenced, concerns were raised about why Supt Grimm - an experienced surveillance officer and a co-ordinator at the AFP college in Canberra - escaped with just a warning.

"I am unclear as to why a decision was made to issue Co-ordinator Grimm with a (caution) rather than a traffic infringement notice. Co-ordinator Grimm is alleged to have been travelling at a speed in excess of 40km/h over the posted speed limit," said internal affairs investigator Jenny Russ in the document.

In another document, Constable Curie's station boss, Sgt Anthony Ghirardello, says he "suggested" to the junior officer that he consider sending Supt Grimm a caution notice.

"I believe the member stopped had a good driving record," Sgt Ghirardello said in a letter to Professional Standards.

"At that time of the morning, traffic would be light and there would be no danger to members of the public."

Sgt Ghirardello also told internal affairs that Constable Curie was inexperienced in conducting speed checks and was driving an AFP vehicle that "did not have a certified speedometer" when he pulled Supt Grimm over.

"The alleged offending driver was a trained surveillance officer who I believe had challenged the speed nominated ... the member involved would be able to mount a reasonable case for the matter not to be proved beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law," Sgt Ghirardello said.

The documents also allege Supt Grimm placed a lanyard over his neck after he got out of the car he was driving when he was pulled over in 2007.

The AFP has twice refused to answers questions about Supt Grimm's warning.

It also refused to say how many other motorists had received warnings when allegedly caught speeding in a similar range.

AFP Commissioner Tony Negus refused to say if he would support members of the public receiving warnings instead of fines when the traffic was light.

Supt Grimm did not respond to a request for comment.