UPDATE: A former police commissioner’s nephew, Alexander James Cox, is challenging his dismissal from the NSW Police Force after sharing explicit content as a “joke” among colleagues. The 31-year-old was removed from his position in March 2024 after an 18-month period of sharing pornographic images, video, and audio, raising urgent questions about police conduct and accountability.
Cox, who was acquitted of criminal charges related to recording and distributing intimate images without consent in April 2024, claims he was wrongly terminated. His lawyer, Paul McGirr, argues that the dismissal for “cracking bad jokes” would create staffing challenges for the NSW Police. “If the threshold for dismissing a police officer is for cracking bad or distasteful jokes, the State of NSW would have grave difficulties in staffing its police force,” he stated.
Testifying at a hearing in June 2024, Cox described his actions as a “silly mistake,” claiming he faced a “witch hunt” led by former police commissioner Karen Webb. However, in a ruling announced on Tuesday, commission deputy president Jane Paingakulam deemed him an “unimpressive witness” with insufficient insight into his misconduct.
The ruling highlighted a serious lack of contrition from Cox, indicating that his responses were aggressive rather than remorseful. Paingakulam stated, “Both Mr. Cox’s disposition and his apparent lack of candour do not reflect well on him.” The explicit content he shared included a video that Cox falsely claimed involved a woman who could not be named due to legal reasons.
While further complaints against Cox were deemed less serious and did not warrant dismissal, they showcased concerning behavior, such as playing audio of a woman having sex at the encouragement of a superior during work hours. Paingakulam noted that these incidents reflect poorly on the culture within the Sydney police station.
Despite being acquitted, magistrate Holly Kemp characterized Cox’s actions as “utterly in poor taste, grubby, juvenile and unacceptable.” His removal from the police force was found to be justified, particularly due to the nature of the explicit material shared.
After his acquittal, prosecutors were ordered to pay Cox nearly $77,000 for his legal costs, highlighting the complexities and consequences surrounding this case. McGirr has vowed to appeal the decision, expressing confidence that “common sense” will prevail in court.
As this case continues to unfold, it raises critical issues regarding police conduct and accountability in Australia. The implications of Cox’s actions and the response from the NSW Police Force are likely to have lasting effects on public trust in law enforcement.
For support related to sexual abuse and redress, individuals can reach out to 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or 1800 211 028 for the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service.
