Bullying Alive and Well at SAPOL: Meet the Dubious Cops Whose Actions (Allegedly) Drove Sergeant Russell Nash to Kill Himself
These three notorious SAPOL characters have all been named in an inquiry investigating the suicide of SAPOL band member Sergeant Russell Nash. From L-R: Cameron Devey, Assistant Commissioner Phillip Newitt, Christine Baulderstone.
Long-serving SAPOL officer Sergeant Nash took his own life on Christmas Eve 2021 after alleged bullying by a senior supervisor.
The named bully was Chief Inspector Cameron Devey, who was supervisor of the farce that is the SA Police Band.
Devey is by no means the only SAPOL figure who allegedly has blood on his hands.
A coronial inquest has heard how a “top cop” ordered Sergeant Russell Nash be pushed out of the SA Police Band just hours after the veteran officer raised concerns about missed media opportunities.
That “top cop” is Assistant Police Commissioner Philip Newitt, who just happens to be a personal friend of SAPOL commissioner Grant Stevens.
Newitt achieved notoriety after causing a crash which caused serious head injuries to a motorcyclist in the Adelaide Hills on 28 December 2015. Newitt pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated driving without due care over the incident.
The court fined Newitt $1600 plus court costs of $516 and banned him from driving for six months.
Newitt was then excused from internal discipline by SAPOL Commissioner and personal friend, Grant Stevens.
New explosive evidence reveals Newitt made an order forcing Sergeant Nash to exit the band after Nash sent an email to leadership raising his disappointment that the police media team did not attend one of their performances.
The school performance was in support of National Child Protection Week.
Nash had cc’d Newitt and the Police Association of South Australia assistant secretary in the email sent at 3.15pm on September 8, 2021.
“In my view this was a wonderful opportunity to not only promote the relevance of our Band, but also SAPOL as an organisation in support of the nation’s stance against the abuse and neglect of children,” Sergeant Nash wrote.
In the forwarded email chain, Newitt said Nash’s behaviour was out of line.
SAPOL, as we all know, doesn’t give a shit about child protection. It has more child and teen molesters in its ranks than a Jeffrey Epstein party.
“Can you please manage this situation and Sgt Nash’s thinking that it is o.k. to email this group of people, and the PASA member, on such an issue,” Newitt wrote.
Newitt – whose shit driving almost killed a motorcyclist – did not explain what made him and his fellow elitist toss-pots so special that other more ‘lowly’ officers should not contact them with genuine concerns. We can only assume that like much of SAPOL’s leadership, Newitt is an arrogant jerk who walks around with his head up his arse.
The same day at 4.18pm, the former Superintendent and officer-in-charge of Community & Engagement Branch Christine Baulderstone wrote to alleged bully boy Devey instructing on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner to “move (Sergeant Nash) on from the Band”.
“Comment below from the AC (Assistant Commissioner) FYI,” Baulderstone wrote.
“He asked for an analysis to be done… as to how much time Russell has had off work since he has been at the Band, with the plan to move him on from the Band.
“Can you please … discuss the plan for the conversation with Russell for Friday, also ensure his RTW (Return to Work) coordinator / psych aware of this behaviour.”
Baulderstone is another prime example of the kind of effluent that fills the human sewer pit of SAPOL. In 2013, this bespectacled bonehead suddenly drove her car into an innocent pedestrian, and then tried to blame the pedestrian.
A parliamentary hearing heard that Baulderstone – who, believe it or not, once led South Australia Police’s anti-corruption unit – failed to assist the victim at the scene and offered no apology after the collision.
To add insult to literal injury, Baulderstone and a SAPOL colleague attempted to shift the blame to the victim and acted aggressively towards her.
When the victim’s lawyer later lodged a Freedom of Information request to access security footage of the collision, it was denied on the basis that the images had “gone missing”.
The court has previously heard Sergeant Nash took his own life after alleged “excessive and unwarranted display of power” by a senior officer.
Sergeant Nash’s family has also called on SA Police to address what they claim are deadly “systemic and cultural failures” within the force, wich include behaviours such as bullying and harassment.
Grant Stevens’ buddy Newitt still holds the position of Assistant Police Commissioner.
SA Police has declined to make further comment while the matter is before the court.
Russell Nash playing his first gig with the blues band. Picture: Supplied by family.
