Police cadets caught throwing house party while Australia told to practice social distancing

Public gatherings of more than two are banned

Police cadets in Australia were caught throwing a party on campus while the country was told to practice social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Australia’s national police told The Independent an “internal recruit gathering” took place at a training college in Canberra on Friday.

“The matter is currently being investigated,” an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesperson said.

Public gatherings of more than two people were banned towards the end of last month in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The government has told people to practice social distancing, and to stay home unless they are leaving the house for an essential reason, such as to buy food or for medical appointments.

Friday’s gathering took place at the Australian Federal Police College, where all current residents are AFP recruits in training, according to the police spokesperson.

Australia’s ABC News has showed what it claimed was footage of the party, where groups of people can be seen inside rooms late at night amid loud noises.

The police spokesperson said: “The AFP is fully aware of social distancing requirements and the recruits at the AFP College have been fully briefed on all Covid-19 requirements, including social distancing.”

They added: “The AFP expects its members to comply with the law and relevant health directions.

“Any breaches of the code of conduct will be dealt with in line with AFP professional standards framework. Any identified alleged breaches in behaviour by AFP recruits will be deemed totally unacceptable and will be subject to disciplinary actions.”

Australia tightened up measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 at the end of March, saying the maximum number of people allowed at public gatherings would drop from 10 to two.

The number of coronavirus infections in the country was more than 6,000 on Wednesday, while the death toll stood at 50.

Additional reporting by agencies