Barcaldine policeman guilty of Weapons Act offences

No conviction has been recorded.

The case was heard in the Longreach Court on Friday morning after a plea bargaining agreement was reached and the matter was brought forward.

According to the Longreach Leader, prosecutor Kevin Carmont told Magistrate Bradford-Morgan earlier in the week that the matter had had quite an effect on many people and he wanted it proceeded with as expeditiously as possible.

Sgt Misson, 54, was suspended from the Queensland Police Service in April 2017 when he was the subject of an investigation in relation to failing to investigate a matter.

At that time, Police Media said he had been issued with a notice to appear at the Barcaldine Magistrates Court on June 7 for alleged offences relating to the unlawful possession of weapons, and failure to properly store and secure weapons.

Those offences did not relate to his Queensland Police Service firearm.

The officer was found guilty on Friday morning of failing to keep a weapon unloaded, failing to secure a weapon, and possession of stolen property relating to a large quantity of ammunition and weaponry.

An order was made that any ammunition seized be forfeited.

Sgt Misson originally faced eight firearms charges but five were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Since 2001, Sgt Misson has been a QPS district firearms training officer and senior firearms instructor in the use of Glock pistols, Tasers and R4 semiautomatic assault rifles.

He has also represented the Queensland Police Service in shooting and has competed internationally in clay target shooting events.

He remains suspended from the police service in relation to internal matters of failing to investigate a matter.