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Further, the LECC found, he was “deliberately dishonest in his answers on the insurance claim form for the car he crashed”.

For each action, the LECC concluded Inspector AB engaged in “serious misconduct”.

“The Commission found that Officer AB was treated more leniently in the way in which he was managed by his Commander and in the police review of his driving,” the LECC said in a statement on Thursday.

“The favourable treatment led to other police officers losing confidence in the integrity of the NSW Police Force.”

The LECC announced it was investigating AB’s crash and allegations in December 2023, and released its 85-page report on Thursday.

A total of 17 officers gave evidence to the LECC investigation, dubbed Operation Harrisdale, all under pseudonyms.

Operation Harrisdale also investigated allegations of both interference in the investigation into AB and claims of a “cover-up” by senior police.

The LECC found no evidence of interference in the investigation of AB’s crash.

But the NSW Police media unit, which frequently releases alerts each time any officer is charged, failed to put out any statement related to AB.

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Senior police told the LECC that was an innocent mistake that “damaged the reputation” of the force.

Allegations of a cover-up were fuelled late last year when police lawyers sent legal threats to Nine, the publisher of the Herald, on behalf of Commissioner Karen Webb warning against revealing AB’s identity.

Webb rejected claims of a cover-up on 2GB radio before police lawyers fronted Hornsby Local Court armed with sealed envelopes containing secret evidence.

That evidence, which was challenged by Nine on the grounds of public interest, ultimately ended with a magistrate suppressing AB’s real identity for 40 years.

“The general public wants to know if a police officer is dealt with in the same way as the ordinary citizen,” LECC Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC said on Thursday.

“But there is a second important audience. Other NSW Police Force officers watch to see if senior officers are dealt with in the same way as junior officers.”

“If there is not equitable treatment of all police, it can lead to dissatisfaction in the ranks of the police generally.”

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