A former Victoria Police Sergeant was today sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of perjury in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, following an investigation by Victoria’s independent police oversight body, IBAC.
IBAC charged former Victoria Police Sergeant Robert Beckingham with a number of offences in May 2018. The charges were the result of IBAC’s investigation, Operation Ithaca, into allegations of police personnel misconduct.
Any witness in an IBAC examination, whether public or private, must answer all questions truthfully. It is an offence to give false or misleading evidence to IBAC, and there are heavy penalties for proven perjury before IBAC.
Independent oversight of Victoria Police is among IBAC’s most important functions. In 2018/19, 62 per cent of the allegations assessed by IBAC related to Victoria Police.
To report public sector corruption or police misconduct now, visit www.ibac.vic.gov.au/report or call 1300 735 135.
