GEELONG, VIC. — A former cop who revealed he lied when he claimed under oath that the reason he choked an 11-year-old neurodivergent schoolboy was that he had “snapped” now stands accused of corruption.
An investigating officer, Senior Constable Shane Lynch, stands accused of corruption over cover-up allegations involving an unlawful police assault of a neurodivergent schoolboy.
Sworn evidence by decorated former senior constable Shane Lynch in a Police Registration and Services Board dismissal review revealed allegations he was “coached” by an acting senior sergeant to fake his defence to dodge media exposure and secure a lenient internal penalty.
VicNews can reveal the allegations are now being examined by an internal integrity unit.
The former cop admitted under oath he choked the 11-year-old boy because he had “snapped”.
In his subsequent bid to regain his job, Lynch confessed to the board that this was a lie he was told would shield him and that he actually believed his actions were a “measured” response to the boy’s volatile and escalating behaviour.
The confession means the ex-officer intentionally misled magistrate Ann McGarvie, who sentenced him to a six-month good behaviour bond, without conviction, and to pay a $300 fine on the basis of his deception.
“I would be loath to cause Lynch to lose his job as a result of one loss of control over a 24-year period of employment,” Ms McGarvie said at Geelong Magistrates’ Court last July.
Lynch claimed the acting senior sergeant told him if he said he’d “snapped” when interviewed, the consequences would be more favourable.
“We’ll get you an admonishment. It’s gonna go to court (but) outside of Geelong. It’s not gonna make the media. We’re gonna brush it all on,” the senior officer said, according to Lynch.
Lynch went on to say, “the snapping was something that was planted … she managed me through the interview and to assist me”.
“I did grab at him by the throat, but I believe that it was measured in that he was very aggressive. He was about to assault me, and I had to respond. The snapped term is not a term that I had, even considered. I don’t believe that I had snapped.
“There is no excuse for that behaviour … It was simply to prevent any further escalation, any further assaults, and primarily against myself … but the snapped component of it, no.”
Victoria Police said the coaching allegations were under review by Professional Standards Command, which examines police corruption, misconduct and integrity matters.
“Victoria Police expects all employees to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism,” a spokesperson said.
The board upheld the force’s decision to dismiss Lynch, describing his actions as “abhorrent, disgusting and appalling and (amounting) to a gross misuse of police powers.”
His post-assault conduct raised further concerns.
“What is of concern to the board is that a police member with 24 years operational experience was, on his own sworn account and by agreement with the informant, prepared to manipulate his interview responses through minimisation or falsification, with an intent to achieve an outcome more favourable to his personal interests than might otherwise be the case,” the board said.
“The fact that (Lynch’s) unqualified ‘snapping’ evidence was relied upon and formed part of his sentencing submissions added to our concerns.”
Police were called to a Geelong primary school on March 5, 2024 following reports a child was assaulting other children and swearing at teachers.
Armed with rocks and sticks, the boy diagnosed with autism, ADHD and pathological demand avoidance was in a “highly volatile and aggressive” state as he faced off with five police officers, his dad and the school principal.
A court heard Lynch grabbed the boy around the neck with both hands for three seconds after which time the child began hyperventilating and repeating: “Dad, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe”.
His father told the court the assault was “most traumatic incident of (his son’s) life” and that it “shattered” their trust in Victoria Police.
Lynch had an unblemished policing career, having been commended for saving a life in 2016 and volunteering as a CFA member.
