An Australian state police chief apologised to the Jewish community on Saturday after a police sergeant allegedly performed an outlawed Nazi salute.
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The 65-year-old instructor on domestic violence policy and law at the Victoria state police academy in Melbourne is facing charges for the gesture and for praising Nazi leader Adolf Hitler with the words, “Heil Hitler” on Tuesday and Wednesday in front of academy staff and recruits, Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said.
“I want to express just here at the outset my disappointment, my disgust, my anger at this appalling conduct,” Patton told a press conference.
“There is simply no place for this type of conduct in our society, let alone in this police force. For that reason, I want to profoundly apologise to the Jewish community but also to the community as whole,” Patton added.
Patton said the alleged behaviour would exacerbate the grief and pain the Jewish community felt following the October 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.
The police officer, whose name has not been released, has more than 40 years service. She was suspended from duty on Friday and was interviewed by professional standards internal investigators on Saturday.
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