Two MORE cops are suspended after allegedly leaking photos of troubled AFL identity Dean Laidley dressed as a woman at a police station
- Two more senior officers suspended for allegedly leaking photos of Dean Laidley
- Earlier, another two police officers were stood down for allegedly leaking photos
- Laidley arrested outside in St Kilda and charged with offences including stalking
- Images of him dressed as a woman and his mugshot were leaked online
- Victoria's corruption watchdog announced investigation into leaking of photos
Two more senior police officers have been suspended for allegedly leaking photos of ex-AFL coach Dean Laidley dressed as a woman while being interviewed in custody.
Victoria Police announced on Friday that the two senior officers will be suspended and are expected to be charged with misconduct.
Earlier this week, two other officers were stood down for allegedly leaking the images of Laidley.
The 53-year-old was arrested outside a home in St Kilda on Saturday night and charged with a series of offences including stalking and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Laidley was recently released on bail on charges including three counts of drug possession.
Dean Laidley Coach of the Roos walks to the changing rooms after the clubs big loss in the round three AFL match between the Kangaroos and Collingwood at the Telstra Dome April 17, 2006
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The former North Melbourne player was brought in for an interview at St Kilda police station.
Photos of Laidley's mug shot and one of him wearing a wig and dress were taken as he was being interviewed by police.
The images of Laidley were allegedly leaked throughout the precinct and to the media.
Victoria's corruption watchdog, Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, launched an investigation into the leaking of the photos.
The IBAC investigation will examine cultural issues in Victoria Police.
Photos of Dean Laidley in police custody (one pictured) were leaked online as he was charged with stalking and breaches of a family violence order
One photo which appeared to show his mugshot taken from a police file was also leaked
Head of the IBAC investigation Robert Redlich QC said the probe would also look at 'how they can build on their work with the LGBTIQ community and ensure their officers have proper regard to human rights'.
'Addressing any such cultural issues and improving police training will be fundamental to ensuring this type of behaviour is simply not tolerated and doesn't happen again,' he said.
The probe will examine the number of officers involved in taking the photographs, the conduct of others present and how other officers who received the images responded.
It will also look at the alleged leaking to the media of the information from the police interview with Laidley, along with images from his mobile phone.
Dean Laidley separated from his wife Jo some years ago. The former North Melbourne player was arrested on Saturday night
Victorian Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said earlier on Friday he was very angry when he heard about the leak and any officers involved would be disciplined.
He called the behaviour an 'act of gross stupidity' which stole media attention from a funeral for one of the police officers killed in the Eastern freeway crash.
Laidley is expected to ask for bail during a court appearance on Monday.
He was arrested outside a St Kilda home on Saturday night and charged with offences including stalking.
The 1996 North Melbourne premiership player was remanded in custody after appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DEAN LAIDLEY
Laidley grew up in Balga in Perth's north and played senior football for the West Perth Football Club.
He made his debut for the West Coast Eagles in 1987, where he played 52 games before being traded to the North Melbourne ahead of the 1993 season.
He won a premiership with the Kangaroos in 1996 and was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 2019.
His willingness to commit to contested balls earned him the nickname of 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Laidley pictured when he signed as the coach of the North Melbourne Kangaroos in 2002 - signing a three-year deal with his former club
His coaching career includes seven seasons with the Kangaroos between 2003 and 2009.
Laidley also spent time with Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Carlton.
He and his family were attacked by bouncers at the Bounty night club in Bali after his daughter's wedding in 2011.
His son received a broken jaw while Laidley required stitches after being hit in the head with a bottle.
He is currently a coach of Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon Districts Football League, having started there in 2019.
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