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Tsunami of lawsuits strikes Victoria Police: Decorated detective who investigated female cop’s suicide says he was bullied and left with PTSD – as 70 officers lodge legal claims
Former detective Jacob Laidlaw says he was bullied and pressured to limit an investigation into the 2019 suicide of fellow Victoria Police officer Shona O’Connor. His civil claim adds to more than 70 cases being handled by one Melbourne law firm and comes amid wider scrutiny of alleged problems with the force’s treatment of women and workplace culture.
Laidlaw says he found allegations that O’Connor had been bullied and sexually harassed by senior officers, and that his attempts to pursue a senior officer were obstructed and confidential information leaked. He says he was later diagnosed with PTSD and major depressive disorder and received specialist and inpatient treatment. Victoria Police says it cannot comment on a case before the courts and has referred Laidlaw’s complaints about the investigations to IBAC for review.
In short
- Former detective Jacob Laidlaw alleges bullying during a police investigation.
- His claim is among more than 70 cases handled by one firm.
- Victoria Police has referred his complaints to IBAC for review.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Laidlaw’s account, if substantiated, would suggest that workplace misconduct and interference with an investigation caused serious harm and undermined confidence in police accountability. A thorough independent review and fair compensation for officers harmed by the force could help address those concerns and encourage others to report wrongdoing.
The case against
The allegations remain claims to be tested in court, and Victoria Police has said it cannot comment on an active case; referral of the investigation complaints to IBAC provides an avenue for independent scrutiny. Fairness to those accused and to the institution requires care not to treat allegations as established facts before the evidence is examined.
Explained simply
Victoria Police is the state police force in Victoria, Australia. Like other police forces, it investigates deaths and alleged misconduct by its officers, while an independent watchdog, IBAC, can review complaints about police conduct.
Shona O’Connor was a Victoria Police officer who died by suicide in 2019. Jacob Laidlaw, a detective who investigated her death, says the inquiry was restricted and that he was bullied; his claim concerns his treatment at work and the effect on his health.
The claims come amid wider scrutiny of Victoria Police’s workplace culture and treatment of women. The cases matter because they raise questions about how the force handles allegations against its own officers and supports staff who report misconduct.