Senior Police Officer Mark Orford Appears in Court Accused of Shocking Abuse of Power and Domestic Violence
- A 53-year-old senior police officer has faced court accused of abusing his position of power and committing historical domestic violence assaults.
- Mark Andrew Orford, who remains suspended with pay, allegedly used his position to secure a benefit and possessed a dangerous article.
- The prosecution has been granted a 14-week adjournment to provide a brief of evidence, with the case classified as “complex” due to the number of outstanding materials.
Mark Andrew Orford, a 53-year-old senior police officer, has appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court accused of shocking abuse of power and historical domestic violence assaults. The officer, who remains suspended with pay, stood silently in the dock as the court heard the allegations against him.
Orford is charged with two alleged historical assaults dating back to the mid-2000s, as well as possessing a dangerous article and using his position as a public officer to secure a benefit. The alleged benefit was reportedly obtained between July 3 and 7, 2022, at Port Adelaide.
According to court documents, the alleged assaults occurred in Prospect in 2005 and 2008, while the alleged possession of the dangerous article occurred in June this year. Police are also seeking the forfeiture of an OC spray canister.
In a dramatic development, the prosecution was granted a 14-week adjournment to provide a brief of evidence, with the case classified as “complex” due to the number of outstanding materials. The officer’s defence lawyer, Rachel Shaw, expressed concern over the length of the adjournment, arguing that the allegations are at least two years old and have been the subject of an investigation.
SA Police has confirmed that Orford is currently suspended from duty with pay. In a statement, a spokesperson said that the officer was “currently suspended from duty with pay” but refused to comment on his current rank.
As Orford left the courthouse with two supporters, he declined to comment on the allegations. The matter has been adjourned to later this year, with the prosecution set to provide a brief of evidence.
This shocking case has raised serious concerns about the conduct of police officers and the need for transparency and accountability within the force. As the investigation continues, the community will be watching closely to see how this complex case unfolds.