New South Wales Police have initiated an internal review after a video circulated on social media showing officers taking the keys from a parked utility vehicle while its owner briefly left it unattended. The incident occurred in Rouse Hill, a suburb of Sydney.
CCTV footage captured an officer removing the keys from the ignition of the ute while the owner was inside a nearby cafe. The owner returned to find his keys missing and was seen searching for them while on his phone. The officers were then observed inside the cafe laughing. Subsequently, an officer approached the owner, requested his driver's license, and returned the keys. The video appears to show officers questioning the owner and taunting him as he drove away.
The officers involved have been assigned to alternate duties pending the outcome of the investigation. A spokesperson for NSW Police stated that the department is aware of the video and that the actions of the officers are under further investigation.
The footage has garnered significant attention online, with views exceeding one million on TikTok. Public reaction has been divided. Many viewers condemned the officers' behavior as unprofessional and suggested disciplinary action, with some calling for them to be charged with theft. Others defended the officers' actions, pointing out that leaving a vehicle running with keys in the ignition is an offense in NSW, carrying a fine of $114 if the driver is more than three meters away. Some commenters argued that the officers were attempting to make a point about vehicle security and prevent potential theft.
