A senior country cop awarded for his service to the public is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty.
Sergeant James ‘Jim’ Richardson, who was for decades in charge of the one-man police station in Goroke near Horsham in western Victoria is facing serious charges including misconduct in office and sexual assault, the Herald Sun can reveal.
The 62-year-old is accused of intentionally sexually touching a woman in Nhill on three occasions in January and April last year.
Police allege he also used his position as a police officer to “attempt to establish a sexual relationship with a vulnerable person” over the course of a year starting August 2024.
“The accused, a public official namely a sworn member of Victoria Police, in the course of or connected to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself,” charge sheets allege.
The charges were laid following a top-secret investigation by the force’s Sexual Offences and Family Violence Unit (SOFVU).
The specialist unit is dedicated solely to investigating Victoria Police employees accused of committing family violence or sexual assault against women, children, partners and family members.
If convicted, the sergeant could spend time behind bars.
Currently suspended with pay, sergeant Richardson was summonsed to appear at the Horsham Magistrates’ Court for the first time on Monday.
It was revealed the charges were laid against him on July 17 this year.
Public records show sergeant Richardson served as the local officer at Goroke police station for decades, having manned the station from the early 90s.
It’s unclear if he was still the boss of the one-man cop shop during his period of alleged offending.
However a Victoria Police statement confirmed he worked in the state’s western region and was on duty at the time of the alleged incidents.
Sergeant Richardson has received numerous police awards throughout his career.
They include a Victoria Police Divisional Commendation for his professionalism, leadership and compassion while responding to a murder in Goroke in 2012.
He was also trusted to deliver important public information sessions across the region covering topics such as cybercrime, fraud prevention and personal safety awareness.
Sergeant Richardson will return to court in October.