When ugly messages and imperfect process still leave a dismissal standing

A police detective's dismissal over years of discriminatory group messages was upheld by Victoria's Court of Appeal on February 25, 2026.

Murray Gentner, a Detective Leading Senior Constable with Victoria Police, had his phone and devices seized in May 2020 during a criminal investigation. What forensic analysis revealed was stark: years of group SMS conversations with Victoria Police colleagues containing derogatory, sexist, homophobic and vilifying language, alongside the sharing of sensitive police information. The conduct spanned from October 2015 to January 2020. Gentner never disputed the messages or their content.

He was charged with disgraceful or improper conduct and, following a disciplinary inquiry, was dismissed. An independent police oversight board upheld that decision.

Gentner then sought judicial review, arguing the process was compromised. The officer who conducted the disciplinary inquiry had amended the charge mid-process — adjusting the date range of the conduct to match the evidence and correcting a cross-referencing error. Gentner, who had consented to both amendments and admitted the charge in full, later argued the inquiry officer lacked the authority to make those changes.

A Victorian Supreme Court judge agreed, quashing the Board's decision and remitting the matter for rehearing. The Chief Commissioner appealed.

On February 25, 2026, the Court of Appeal reversed that...

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