A Victorian police officer was allegedly denied a promotion after she wore earrings throughout a 7NEWS tv interview about her bravery in a lake rescue.
Main Constable Sally Fairweather was speaking about how she saved two males and an eight-year-old boy from drowning at Pykes Creek Reservoir in December when she landed herself in bother.
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Fairweather was carrying earrings throughout the interview, that are banned by Victoria Police beneath their strict uniform tips.
Below the principles, officers are additionally banned from carrying spacers, facial piercings, plugs and tunnels, chains and dental grills.
Fairweather had been an performing sergeant on the time and was hopeful of a everlasting promotion.
Now, she believes she has been knocked again from the job because of the uniform blunder.
Victoria Police responds
A police spokesperson confirmed Fairweather is “now not performing within the sergeant place” and is presently on unplanned go away.
“All Victoria Law enforcement officials and PSOs are anticipated to abide by the uniform and look requirements,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“The Victoria Police handbook clearly states that officers will not be allowed to put on earrings of any form whereas on obligation.”
They mentioned there’s “little doubt” Fairweather carried out a heroic act when rescuing the jet skiers, nonetheless, “it will be important that members preserve the uniform requirements always”.
“It isn’t unusual to have a dialog with somebody if they aren’t abiding by the coverage,” they added.
“As that is an inner matter, it could be inappropriate for us to remark additional.”
‘Absolute hero’
Premier Daniel Andrews has known as on “widespread sense” to prevail, describing Fairweather as an “absolute hero”.
“The one consideration must be her braveness,” he mentioned talking in regards to the promotion.
Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin slammed the choice and mentioned it could put younger folks off becoming a member of the power.
“To see that somebody has gone locally and guarded the group, even off obligation, is now being penalized for carrying earrings when nobody advised her to not at that assembly, I feel that is a shame,” he mentioned.
“If there’s something that is going to place younger folks off becoming a member of this is able to be one of many key factors, the place you get advised off for carrying the improper earrings at work or one thing minor in your uniform.”
Victoria Police overturned its ban on facial hair in February final yr and lately overhauled guidelines on tattoos.
