A high-ranking Viennese policewoman had to answer to the regional court in Vienna on Friday for, among other things, abuse of official authority. The story behind it is as strange as the responsibility of the law enforcement officer in her trial.
According to the prosecutor, the police officer met a young man on Facebook in February 2022. They spoke regularly on the phone and exchanged photos and videos.
“Out of curiosity”
The day before the first physical encounter with the man, the woman had made inquiries about her knowledge in all official information sources and systems available to her. When searching for persons, the Schengen Information System and the Central Population Register. “Out of curiosity,” the prosecutor is certain.
So it happened that the police officer also saw that her internet love was already in custody. That is what she confronted the man with during their first meeting in Vienna’s Museum Quarter. “She told me that she had checked. And said that she does that with everyone,” the ex reports as a witness. The law enforcement officer was certainly not deterred by the short history of her date. The two became a couple.
Service weapon on the forearm?
“It was a difficult, toxic relationship,” the witness said. According to the file, there was physical injury (by him) and a dangerous threat (by her). Accordingly, the woman allegedly once pointed to her service weapon that was on the dresser in the front room and told the victim: “Or I will shoot you or myself at some point.”
Attorney Thomas Preisinger asks: “Are there any special features of the service weapon?” Answer: “It is black, with a black handle.” Whereupon the attorney presents photos of the service weapon, on which conspicuous adhesive strips can be seen – to identify police officers in plain clothes. “Those are the first things that come to mind when you ask for the details.”
Alleged reference to a drug as a pretext
During the trial, the woman pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges. She almost never took her service weapon home, only for self-protection. The system questions were of an official nature. In one of the phone calls, the new acquaintance suddenly offered to get her medication. She allegedly took that as a ‘hint’ and went to investigate. “Such a conversation never took place. “We never talked about drugs,” says the indignant witness, his hands crossed. During the relationship, the policewoman also sent a photo of an investigation file with the names of the suspect to his private phone.
Eleven months suspended prison sentence, not legally binding
For this and for breaching official secrecy, the policewoman was not legally sentenced to eleven months suspended imprisonment. “Your responsibility makes no sense to us at all,” said Judge Julia Matiasch, explaining the jury’s verdict. The woman was acquitted of making dangerous threats.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
