Police policy is uniform

By Lachlan Ellis

Victoria Police have denied claims that a Moorabool officer was stood down or denied a promotion, due to wearing earrings during media interviews last year.

Then-Acting Sergeant Sally Fairweather, a member stationed at the Ballan Police Station, was praised for saving three jet skiers at Pykes Creek on 11 December, swimming around 250 metres to rescue the trio.

The act earned the praise of the Moorabool community and beyond, with people on social media dubbing Fairweather a “hero” and an “absolute legend”.

But those feelings turned to outrage, when reports of a reprimand for wearing earrings while on-duty sprung up this month.

The Herald Sun reported that Leading Senior Constable Fairweather was denied a promotion for wearing earrings during media interviews regarding the rescue, while The Courier said she was placed on leave by Victoria Police.

However, when asked about these claims, a Victoria Police spokesperson firmly denied them, stating that they were “unaware of where the permanent promotion angle from the Herald Sun has come from” and “The (Ballarat) Courier was told it was factually inaccurate to report that Sally was placed on sick leave by the organisation – an employer is unable to do this”.

It was acknowledged that LSC Fairweather’s wearing of earrings was against Victoria Police’s standards and she was no longer Acting Sergeant, however, no link between these two events was made.

The spokesperson also said that LSC Fairweather has returned to work following her sick leave.

“All Victoria Police officers and PSOs are expected to abide by the uniform and appearance standards. The Victoria Police Manual clearly states that officers are not allowed to wear earrings of any kind while on duty,” the Victoria Police spokesperson told the Moorabool News.

“There is no doubt the officer performed a heroic act when rescuing jet skiers in Pykes Creek Reservoir on Sunday 11 December. However, it is important that members maintain the uniform standards at all times, and it is not uncommon to have a conversation with someone if they are not abiding by the policy.

“The officer in question is no longer acting in the Sergeant position. As this is an internal matter, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

Under point 9.3 of the Victoria Police Manual’s Uniform and Appearance Standards, “members are permitted to wear the following items of jewellery: wrist watches, minimal rings of conservative style, emergency medical alert bracelets or pendants”.

It also states that “wearing of other jewellery, ornaments, adornments, or accessories is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to; earrings, spacers, any facial/body piercings, plugs, tunnels, bars, chains, dental grills, etc.”