A SENIOR police officer is on stress leave pending an investigation into claims he assaulted a motorist just weeks after a separate internal probe was launched into his role in a fatal car chase.

The Cairns Post can reveal Sgt Rob Archibald allegedly handcuffed and assaulted a male driver who had been stopped by police for a minor traffic breach outside Olly’s IGA on
Sheridan St.

Sgt Archibald had only recently returned to duty after a month-long stint of sick leave for stress.

It is understood the alleged assault was captured on the IGA store’s security cameras.

Sgt Archibald is also being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command over alleged procedural breaches while giving chase in a crash that killed Phyllis Crooks, 50, on December 12.

Ms Crooks, a grandmother of seven, died in Cairns Base Hospital from injuries suffered in a head-on collision with an allegedly stolen car on the Bruce Highway near White Rock.

The driver, Innisfail man Robert Alan Derks, 21, will face a committal hearing for her murder on September 20.

Colleagues told The Cairns Post Sgt Archibald was so shaken by the circumstances of the crash that killed Ms Crooks he took immediate sick leave for stress.

Within weeks of returning to work after a month’s stress leave after that crash, he was involved in the alleged assault of the driver on Sheridan St.

Queensland police yesterday confirmed the assault was being investigated but would not comment further.Acting Chief Supt Brent Carter told The Cairns Post the traumatic toll of attending deadly road crashes for the past decade has had a significant effect on Sgt Archibald.

"Sgt Archibald has given a lot to the Queensland Police Service over a long period of time and he has seen a lot of serious road trauma in his service," Supt Carter said.

"Unfortunately, this has taken a toll on him and we’re giving him every support we possibly can.

"These guys are out there all the time seeing car crashes first hand and it’s an incredibly difficult job to be doing every single day.

"Officers from the Ethical Standards Command are investigating an incident involving Sgt Archibald but I can’t comment further until that investigation is completed."

A police spokesperson said officers were investigating circumstances that led to the death of Ms Crooks on behalf of the coroner.

The spokesperson said officers involved in major traumatic incidents were regularly debriefed and offered a range of support and counselling.

Sgt Archibald declined to comment when contacted by The Cairns Post.

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