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Australian cops in speeding KKK prank

AAP, Australia
Dec. 11, 2003
www.theage.com.au

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Saturday December 13, 2003

Two West Australian police officers face the sack after being caught on camera driving at twice the speed limit while dressed in Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods.

WA Police have confirmed an internal investigation is under way into the two officers, stationed at Bunbury, 180km south of Perth.

On August 1, 2001, two people wearing Ku Klux Klan costumes were snapped as they passed a speed camera at 126km/h in a 60km/h zone in a Holden Commodore with obscured number plates.

At the time police, then unaware of the identity of the car’s occupants, described the incident as a dangerous stunt designed to taunt police.

It has now emerged the car was an unmarked police vehicle and the occupants were two experienced officers stationed at Bunbury Police Station.

The officers are now the subject of an internal investigation and could lose their jobs.

“I’d say that the chances of keeping their jobs is very slim at this time,” Southern Region Commander Daryl Balchin told ABC Radio.

“Whilst probably at the time they considered this a prank, we are professional people and let’s face it, the community expects more of us and to do this is … grossly irresponsible.”

Cmdr Balchin said there was no information to suggest any other officers were involved or knew about the incident at the time.

One of the officers is on reduced duties while the other is currently hospitalised and on medication, Cmdr Balchin said.