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Victoria Police Constable Denis Belkin dismissal to undergo judicial review
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has appointed retired appeals Justice Elizabeth Bennett to review the dismissal of Victoria Police Department Constable Denis Belkin.
Belkin was recommended for dismissal following a discipline hearing regarding five counts of misconduct occurring in December 2023. The findings included abuse of authority for using unnecessary force—specifically involving an incident where a man was knocked off a bike and struck—as well as three counts of neglect of duty concerning documentation and the handling of seized property. Additionally, Belkin was found to have committed deceit by providing information to investigators that contradicted cell phone video evidence.
Belkin has requested an independent review to contest the findings. His appeal focuses on the proportionality of the dismissal, the characterization of the deceit allegation, and how his likelihood of future misconduct was assessed.
Entities
Denis Belkin · Elizabeth Bennett · Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner · Prabhu Rajan · Victoria Police Department
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Retired appeals Justice Elizabeth Bennett has been appointed to review the case. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Belkin provided information contrary to cell phone video evidence during the investigation. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Constable Denis Belkin was found to have committed five counts of misconduct. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Belkin is challenging the proportionality of his dismissal and the characterization of the deceit allegation. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The recommendation for Belkin's dismissal was based on a deceit charge for providing false information. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Belkin was found to have committed abuse of authority for unnecessary force. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Belkin committed three counts of neglect of duty regarding documentation and seized property. goldstreamgazette.com · sookenewsmirror.com · victoriabuzz.com