A POLICE officer who was found guilty of reckless driving last month is lined up to take the position of South West Traffic officer-in-charge this Friday.
Bunbury Police Senior Constable Shane Clarke had his licence suspended and was fined $1250 in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court after pleading not guilty to the charge.
Constable Clarke was escorting legendary Australian band Cold Chisel to a concert in Margaret River along Bussell Highway when he was caught driving 48 kms over the speed limit last November.
Constable Clarke will take the position of South West Traffic officer-in-charge sergeant Gerard Murphy while he is on leave for two weeks.
South West Superintendent Lawrence Panaia said the decision made sense because the lead role was more of a desk job than behind the wheel.
In court, Constable Clarke said “there were concerns if (Jimmy) Barnes was late, there could be problems with the crowd, because of liquor consumption”.
He has been a traffic officer for more than 20 years.
