A former Victorian police officer who admitted to misusing his position to pursue sexual relationships with three vulnerable women, has appeared before the County Court in a bid to avoid jail.
Brett Johnson, 42, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of Misconduct in Public Office for offending against nine women between October 2010 and July 2019.
One charge related to Johnson engaging in a sexual relationship with a witness of a crime, while two others related to pursuing intimate relationships with vulnerable women.
The other seven charges were for unauthorised access of Victoria Police's Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), a database that contains sensitive information including licence details, photographs, addresses, phone numbers and details of interactions with Victoria Police.
Johnson's defence lawyer Abbie Roodenburg said he often accessed LEAP when he was "bored".
Judge Liz Gaynor, who has the task of sentencing the former leading senior constable, described some of the offending as "really nasty".
"It's an enormous bank of information police have and there has to be absolute respect to it," she said.
"It's a complete abuse of power."
Earlier plea negotiations resulted in more than 90 charges being consolidated or withdrawn, including rape, stalking and assault.
Misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, however, Johnson's lawyers argued he should be spared jail and only serve a community corrections order.
Johnson, who resigned from Victoria Police in 2021, will be sentenced on May 16.
Victims experienced loss of trust in police
Two of Johnson's victims told the court they can no longer trust police officers after the offending.
One victim said she was "furious" Johnson had robbed her of her sense of safety.
"Instead of thinking police officers are people to trust, I see them as potential predators," she told the court.
"I cry a lot, I can't even give my phone number and address out to someone I'm dating because I wonder what they will do with that information."
Another victim, referred to as Ms Victoria, said the "ripple effects" of the crime have led to suicide attempts, weight gain and social isolation.
"The way he was towards me makes me feel sick to my stomach," she said in a victim impact statement.
"I've pretty much become a prisoner in my own home for fear of coming into contact with Victoria Police."
Johnson used police database to look up women
Court documents show Johnson repeatedly accessed the LEAP database to look up the personal details of women he was in a relationship with, or wanted to pursue a relationship with.
He also admitted to having sex with one of the victims while he was on duty.
Crown Prosecutor Kristie Churchill said on one occasion Johnson received oral sex from the woman in the police station car park.
On two other occasions, Johnson had sex with her in an interview room at the police station while on duty.
Ms Churchill told the court in June 2019 Johnson added another woman on Snapchat and sent messages "of a flirty nature and was asking for photos".
Court documents show Johnson told the woman he was at her address and demanded she "come downstairs".
Ms Churchill said the "persistent, ongoing and targeted offending" warranted a term of imprisonment.
Johnson cried as his defence lawyer Ms Roodenburg told the court about the impact his offending has had on his career and his family.
She said Johnson should not be sent to jail because he had demonstrated both "insight and remorse" into his offending and had taken steps to rehabilitate himself.
"He is embarrassed, he is ashamed, and he is very sorry," she said.
"He has suffered and his family have suffered."
