'Snuck a look': Police sergeant accessed database for DV-accused mate

NSW Police sergeant unlawfully accessed internal database for friend accused of domestic violence Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 6:36am In short: A NSW Police officer unlawfully accessed an internal database to share confidential information with a friend accused of domestic violence. Sergeant Shannon Daniel Cooper told his friend in one message the police report about the incident "reads well in your favour mate". What's next? Sergeant Cooper is currently suspended from NSW Police with pay and he will be sentenced in August. "I just snuck a look at the event." "Reads well in your favour mate, albeit they kept it respectful towards her." These are some of the first text messages Sergeant Shannon Daniel Cooper sent to his long-term friend, minutes after illegally accessing the police's internal database for confidential information about the friend's domestic violence matter. The man who was under investigation by police was a former officer and close friend of the sergeant, who is stationed at Belmont Police Station, south of Newcastle. "Thankyou mate!! … You are a good man," the friend replied. The night before, police from another command had attended the man's home after being called to a suspected domestic violence incident. Officers spoke to the man's partner who "told them certain information", according to court documents. "Everyone will hate her for this," Sergeant Cooper told his friend. "She is a low life c***, I f***ing hate her now after this mate," the friend replied. NSW Police internal database accessed six times Shortly after this text exchange on the morning of September 11, 2025, the man's partner attended a police station to report alleged domestic and family violence. The man reached out again to Sergeant Cooper. 2:52pm Friend: "Answer your phone dawg!!!? 3:30pm Friend: "???" Sergeant Cooper: "Stand by mate" 3:50pm Friend: "Sorry mate my anxiety is through the roof" Sergeant Cooper: "I bloody imagine mate. Just had a look. It's in its infancy unfortunately. No narrative. Just the incident with you as a suspect" Sergeant Cooper: "This is so f***ed" Friend: "Is it only one incident?" Friend: "Is the incident recent?" Sergeant Cooper: "I didn't even look at the date. Dip shit. Stand by." "Intimidation, a telephone offence ... F*** me." According to the agreed statement of facts, Sergeant Cooper accessed the NSW Police internal computerised operational policing system (COPS) six times over nine hours, passing on restricted information. Five days later, on September 16, a separate police officer reported the breach to senior management. It comes as a leading police integrity academic warns that officers accessing restricted information for personal use is a national problem, especially in domestic violence cases. Officer suspended with pay An investigation quietly began into Sergeant Cooper, with an audit of the COPS system completed, his roster checked and phone records pulled. His mobile phone data showed 150 text messages and 10 calls between the pair in the week after the domestic violence allegations were made against the friend. Sergeant Cooper was questioned, but "maintained his right to silence", according to court documents. He was charged in March 2026 and pleaded guilty to the unauthorised access of restricted data on June 4. A NSW Police spokesperson said he was currently suspended with pay. He will be sentenced in August. His friend, the former police officer, has not been charged over the alleged domestic violence, but police took out an AVO. Earlier this year the NSW Police watchdog warned multiple officers were unlawfully accessing confidential information about alleged domestic violence victim-survivors. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) called for regular mandatory audits of COPS on officers accused of DV, which was supported 'in principle' by NSW Police. Illegal information access 'prominent problem' Tim Prenzler, one of Australia's foremost police integrity experts, said there are "repeated cases" in Australia of "officers illegally accessing police databases and sharing information with friends and other persons." Professor Prenzler, from the University of the Sunshine Coast's School of Law said there was a "prominent problem" with information being accessed for the "purposes of stalking and harassment, including endangerment in domestic violence cases." "Police should only be permitted to access data relevant to a case they are investigating." "Every login must be tracked, and officers need to provide detailed rationales for enquiries and agree to conflict of interest provisions."