MELBOURNE, Oct 13 (The Real Republic) — The Victoria police chief has apologized to the Jewish community after a 65-year-old female sergeant allegedly performed a Nazi salute and praised Adolf Hitler during training sessions at the police academy.
The officer, who has over 40 years of service, faces charges for her actions, which occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday. Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton condemned the behavior, stating, “There is simply no place for this type of conduct in our society.”
Sergeant Mandy Finegan is allegedly @VictoriaPolice officer who performed Nazi salute & said “Heil Hitler”
— Menachem Vorchheimer (@MenachemV) October 13, 2024
Finegan is an instructor @ Police academy
Finegan is part of group responsible for “upholding diversity & inclusion”
Now we know why Police don’t prosecute #antisemitism https://t.co/es6kpQ0Nbe pic.twitter.com/qlScpqFXoL
The officer has been suspended and may face charges that could result in up to 12 months in prison and fines of up to 23,000 Australian dollars (approximately $16,000). Performing Nazi gestures has been illegal in Australia since 2022.
The Police Association of Victoria has called for accountability, while Dvir Abramovich of the Anti-Defamation Commission praised the police force’s swift response. Patton noted that the officer had no known history of extreme views, emphasizing that such conduct will not be tolerated.
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