WA policeman on charges for leaking police secrets to journalist

A WA policeman, who was reportedly dating Seven News Perth reporter Monique Dirksz, has been charged with leaking confidential information on the arrest of footballer Ben Cousins to his girlfriend.

Constable Daniel Jamieson has been charged with four counts of disclosing official secrets. He has been stood down while an investigation is underway by the Internal Affairs Unit.

Fairfax reports the tip-off allegedly provided to Dirksz had led her to be outside Fremantle Police Station at 2am – the exact time Cousins was released on bail from the station. His exit was captured on camera, with Seven running “Only on 7” vision and Dirksz participating in multiple radio interviews the next day.

Acting Police Commissioner Steve Brown said police would allege the information divulged by the officer was “not within the remit” of his work “and that it gave an advantage to that particular journalist”.

On March 12th Dirksz tweeted, “Ben Cousins arrested after police pursuit. Charged with Reckless Driving, Fail to Stop and Failure to Provide a Sample of Breath @7NewsPerth”

Both Dirksz and Cousins could be called to give evidence in court.

Seven News Perth director Howard Gretton declined to comment.