A 54-year-old Tasmanian police officer has been stood down from duty after being charged with accessing child abuse material.
The Launceston man, now based in the state’s south, was arrested on Sunday by the joint Tasmania Police and Australian Federal Police Anti-Child Exploitation Team.
Police allegedly identified the man after receiving a report from the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Officers executed search warrants in Launceston and Hobart where they located and seized electronic devices, which allegedly contained child abuse material.
Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said the man will remain suspended while the matter is before the courts.
“This is distressing news and wellbeing services are being made available to all staff as required,” Higgins said.
“As confronting as it is to see a Tasmania Police officer accused of these crimes, uncovering and exposing this kind of alleged behaviour is how we will continue to fight against the abuse and exploitation of children and work to keep our children and young people safe.”
“It is not appropriate for us to comment further as the matter is before the courts.”
