Jill Meagher. Source: Supplied
THE head of Victoria's police union has defended the actions of a homicide detective who showed a distressing crime scene photo of Jill Meagher.
The photo of Ms Meagher's semi-naked body lying in a shallow grave was shown to an audience of hundreds of men at a Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia fundraiser in Bendigo last Friday.
Victoria Police offered the force's sincerest apologies for the "unfortunate error", which distressed members of the 400-strong audience.
The photograph was shown by a homicide squad veteran, Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles, as part of a talk about his job.
Police Association Secretary Greg Davies said this morning that Mr Iddles had called Ms Meagher's family to express his regret, but they said an apology was unnecessary.
"Once it was put in context to them and once they had spoken to Ron they were quite satisfied with what he'd done and encouraged him in his efforts to make a difference," Mr Davies said on 3AW.
"I don't think it's offensive to the memory of Jill Meagher - I think it champions the memory."
Mr Davies said it was "ridiculous" that Victoria Police chose to issue an apology without first speaking to Sen-Sgt Iddles.
"If you're trying to get the message across about violence against women in the community ... you can sit around and talk about historic things or you can talk about recent things fresh in people's minds."
Premier Denis Napthine said he was "sickened" and "shocked" by the news and apologised to Ms Meagher's family on behalf of the government.
"Immediately my heart went out to the Meagher family,'' Dr Napthine said.
"This sort of thing is just totally and utterly unacceptable."
Mr Davies criticised the Herald Sun, telling 3AW that the newspaper had made no attempt to contact Mr Iddles.
Herald Sun editor Damon Johnston said Mr Davies' version of events was wrong.
"We followed police protocols, and contacted the Victoria Police media unit around 3pm yesterday, submitting a series of questions relating to the story," Johnston said.
The police response - the apology signed off by Acting Deputy Commissioner Steve Fontana - was received by the Herald Sun shortly after 6pm.
Johnston said after receiving the official response, the Herald Sun then rang Mr Iddles directly on his mobile phone and left a voice message.
"He did not return the call," Johnston said.
Mr Fontana last night banned all public presentations on operational matters by officers until new rules were put in place.
"This was a deeply unfortunate error of judgment and my sincere apologies are extended to Jill's family, friends, the community, and in particular to her husband, Tom," Mr Fontana said.
Members of the audience have said they were upset by the graphic photograph.
"I was shocked, and where I was sitting a few people looked at each other and there were raised eyebrows," one said.
Another said the picture had appeared abruptly on the screen. "I looked but I had to look away," he said.
"It was a photo in a shallow grave; obviously, they had just opened it."
The Herald Sun has been told some audience members were shocked that Mr Iddles discussed personal details of the Meagher family.
"There were 400 people in that room and there was no warning. Someone could have known her. It could've been quite disturbing for them," an audience member said.
Mr Fontana said Mr Iddles has been one of Victoria Police's most dedicated and hardworking detectives for more than 30 years.
"Few wearing the uniform have been more committed and loyal in their service of the community," he said.
"I am saddened that a speech he delivered in good faith, at a charity fundraiser, will have caused further emotional anguish for the family."
But local National Party MP Damien Drum said the talk had been "outstanding" and the audience had been warned about the content.
"I was there supporting prostate cancer and I found the presentation appropriate given the context of a homicide detective talking about the work that homicide detectives do day in day out," he said.
Labor MP Jill Hennessy criticised Mr Drum for downplaying the impact of the presentation.
"I think it's disappointing that a member of the government was at this event and couldn't see the impact and apparently doesn't find it inappropriate," Ms Hennessy said.
"Regardless of the context I think that most would be shocked and distressed to learn that images of Ms Meagher were shown."
The use of the image in the talk has also been defended by the Prostate Council of Australia which promotes the Biggest Ever Blokes lunches.
Spokesman Ishtar Schneider said the PCFA did not manage or control the events.
"In any case, we have also spoken to people in attendance who have explained that the presentation was not offensive and the context was a story about the process of police investigation, and that sensitive material was clearly prefaced with a warning," she said.
Event organiser Keith Sutherland said the charity lunch went "exceptionally well".
"We were just trying to get the message out to 400 local men about prostate cancer," he said. "We raised $70,000."
He said he had previously heard the detective speak, and thought he had been well-received by the audience.
It is understood that Mr Iddles has raised more than a million dollars for charities through his voluntary speaking engagements over the years.
SOURCE;NEWS
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