Police emails cause diplomatic tensions

The Indian Foreign Office summoned the Australian high commissioner to India, Peter
Varghese, over a racist email circulated by Victorian police officers.
The email, which emerged at the weekend, shows the electrocution of an Indian along
with a suggestion that this would "fix" Melbourne's Indian student problem.
The scandal has dealt a fresh blow to relations between Delhi and Canberra, which
were damaged last year by attacks on Indian students.
Senior Indian diplomats were reported to have told Mr Varghese such an "entrenched
bias among sections of law enforcers towards the Indian community is a matter of
serious concern".
Victorian Premier John Brumby said he was deeply disturbed to read reports of the
racist email.
"Any instance of racism is completely offensive and not what I or our community
stands for," he said on Sunday.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms any racist actions taken by any member of
the Victorian community."
A strongly worded statement issued by Delhi's external affairs ministry underscored
how seriously the Indian government has taken the issue.
"Such behaviour and attitudes had no place in any society," the statement said.
"It was hoped that the Australian authorities would take necessary and effective
measures to address concerns regarding the safety of all people of Indian origin in
Australia."
Victoria Police is resuming disciplinary hearings this week into the circulation of
pornographic and racist emails within the force.
To date, four officers have been sacked and one demoted. Five others have been fined
up to $3000 and put on 12-month good behaviour bonds.
Nine officers will front the disciplinary panel on October 12 and October 15, with
six to be heard the following week.
Two officers quit rather than face the secret hearings.
In March, Healesville sergeant Tony Vangorp resigned and committed suicide after
being involved in the investigation.