A senior constable with Victoria Police has been charged with misconduct in public office following an internal investigation into allegations involving a vulnerable teenager.
Police allege that Lambros Ouzounis, 51, pursued an inappropriate personal relationship with an underage girl between February 11 and May 19 last year.
According to investigators, the teenager first came into contact with police at Southern Cross Station. It is alleged that Ouzounis provided her with his personal mobile number and assisted her in obtaining referrals for crisis accommodation. Authorities claim he later used his position as a police officer to develop a closer relationship with the girl.
Ouzounis was attached to Victoria Police’s Transit and Public Safety Command at the time of the alleged incidents.
The investigation was conducted by Victoria Police’s Sexual Offences and Family Violence Unit, formerly known as Taskforce Salus, which examines allegations of family violence, sexual offences and predatory behaviour involving police employees.
Victoria Police confirmed the officer has been directed to take leave while the matter proceeds through the courts. The force said it could not provide further comment because the case is now before the court.
Ouzounis’s lawyer declined to comment following the court appearance.