Victoria Police Officer Avoids Discipline After Transphobic Sexual Harassment Claim

Leading Senior Constable Roger Lawry will not face consequences for allegedly sexually harassing a transgender woman in may of this year.

Roger Lawry (center), grinning, surrounded by witnesses of the event.

Victoria Police member LSC Roger Lawry will not face any disciplinary action after being referred to VicPol’s Professional Standards Command for allegedly making loud public sexual comments about a transgender woman in Melbourne earlier this year.

Roger Lawry, who holds the rank of Leading Senior Constable at the Bellarine Police Station, was allegedly seen loudly commenting on a transgender woman’s presence in Melbourne on the 5th of May.

Upon witnessing a woman with a transgender flag, the Victoria Police member allegedly exclaimed to another officer, “Ay, That’s a dude!” who then replied, “She’s your girlfriend, eh!”. To which another officer interjected, “That’s a transsexual!”. The officers were then heard laughing at their comedy.

In a letter shared with this publication, Victoria Police claimed there was a lack of evidence of the incident as to the reason why the Police Member would escape consequences. This is despite the presence of other members of Victoria Police who witnessed the incident, multiple body-worn cameras, and public witnesses who have corroborated the incident.

In photos shared with us, LSC Roger Lawry can be seen grinning directly after the incident, as a member of the public took him to task on his transphobia.

Roger Lawry is a 30 year+ veteran of Victoria Police, which may explain the lack of available evidence according to the Professional Standards Command.

It is extremely concerning that Victoria Police continues to allow transphobic behaviour from officers, this comes off the back of a damning report from the Victorian Coroner detailing significant repeated failings in the handling of the suicide of Bridget Flack.

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