by: Peter Mickelburough – Herald Sun – March 05, 2014

The offensive stubby holder has been slammed by police command.

A POLICE hero, who once nailed Carl Williams but was also accused of leaking about an underworld killing, has been sacked over racist stubby holders.

Sunshine police Sergeant Callum McCann was one of 13 officers – including an inspector – disciplined after the Herald Sun last year revealed up to 50 stubby holders featuring a cartoon of a mudfish and the words, “Sunshine police. Whoever says Sunshine brings happiness has never worked here’’, were ordered by the station’s social club.

“Mudfish’’ or “muddie’’ is derogatory slang for Africans.

The stubby holder took a further dig at many refugees from war-torn nations who do not know their date of birth, proclaiming: “My date of birth is 01/01/?’’.

A message taking a dig at immigrants, many from war-torn countries, who are often unable to provide their birthdate. Source: News Limited

The items were produced in 2012 and were used at the station’s “mongrel’’ drinking nights.

Police Commissioner Ken Lay, an ALP stooge and apologist for blackfella thugs and black criminals from Africa

Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said the force would not tolerate racism and wanted the disciplinary action send a clear message.

“I want this to demonstrate to the community our ongoing commitment to ensure racism is never a accepted part of Victoria Police culture,” he said.

Sgt McCann was dismissed after being found guilty of one count of disgraceful conduct.

Two constables were sacked for improper conduct over a photo that depicted an African male in a vulnerable position.

Three sergeants were transferred and directed to undertake a human rights course for failing to act when they became aware of the stubby holders.

An inspector was ad-monished for failing to appropriately discipline those involved.

A senior sergeant, a sergeant, two senior constables and a constable were also ­admonished.

The three sacked officers have lodged appeals with the Police Review Service Board.

An unknown number of officers remain under investigation over a second racist stubby holder. Produced by Bairnsdale police, it took aim at Aborigines in one of the state’s most crime-prone and socially depressed areas.

Made to look like a black can of police pepper spray the stubby holder is titled “Yadawg’’ (you dog), an apparent comment on local Aborigines.

Along the side is a red safety symbol with the words “Not that flammable’’ – said to mock an incident where a Bairnsdale man set himself alight after being hit by a burst of spray.

Mr Lay said this investigation was expected to be complete within weeks.

McCann’s role in the conviction of Carl Williams and four others for drug trafficking saw him awarded “for meticulous investigation, commitment and achievements” in 2008, one of many career commendations.

In 2011 he received a bravery award after he and his partner Rifat Gedik volunteered to enter a siege zone in Sunshine to rescue any civilians threatened by a mentally ill gunman.

The pair were fired at repeatedly during the several hours it took to subdue the gunman, who was later charged with attempting to murder the officers.

But in 2010 McCann was accused by the Office of Police Integrity of “misconduct in public office’’.

The OPI claimed in a report to Parliament that while a detective in the homicide squad, McCann had put at risk a major corruption investigation into allegations that former detective Paul Dale had ordered the killings of police informer Terence Hodson and his wife Christine in 2004.

Hodson had been due to give evidence against Dale over his alleged role in a drug break-in at the time he was killed.

McCann cleared of any wrongdoing, but sacked by Lay anyway

The OPI monitored the homicide team that included McCann as it investigated the killings, and then the work of Taskforce Petra which took over the case, without McCann.

A separate OPI investigation into whether any officers were leaking information to Dale focused on his close friend, detective Denis Linehan.

An OPI tap on Linehan’s phones recorded him attempting to heavy a potential witness against Dale.

It also recorded a conversation with McCann shortly after the formation of Taskforce Petra in June 2007, where McCann in passing mentioned the name of a detective on the taskforce.

The OPI said about three months later McCann had also asked two former homicide squad colleagues, who were on taskforce Petra, about the progress of the investigation.

The OPI said both detectives found the question uncomfortable and reported them to the OPI.

McCann later said he was just curious because he had worked on the case.

The OPI presented no evidence that McCann had tried to undermine the investigation and two years later an internal police investigation signed off by the OPI, concluded that on the available evidence and on the balance of probabilities, no allegations against McCann could be substantiated.