Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Cairns' Racist Verbalist" [1986] AboriginalLawB 32; (1986) 1(20) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 2

• Cairns’ Racist Verbalist

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Cairns’ Racist Verbalist

Sergeant Vern Timms is the police officer from Cairns whose rascist comments, which were reported in People magazine (see [1986] AboriginalLB 13; 1(19)pg3), precipitated an outcry of shame upon himself and the Queensland Police Force.

The outcomes so far are that Sgt Timms has been stood down from his position as officer in charge of police operations in Cairns. In addition he has been charged with two offenses. Firstly, with unauthorised publication of views and secondly with improper conduct.

These charges are being investigated by a senior police officer from another district. The decision of whether to hold a public or private inquiry has not yet been made,but the view is the force will opt for a private inquiry to minimise public scrutiny. Vern Timms is pleading not guilty to his charges.

Senior officers have privately aired feelings of disgust with Vem Timms's comments and with his decision to go public.