A Tasmanian police officer has been stood down after he was charged with accessing child abuse material.
The 54-year-old Launceston man was charged by the Tasmanian Joint Anti Child Exploitation team, comprising Tasmania Police and the Australian Federal Police, and stood down from duty immediately.
He was expected to face Launceston Magistrates Court on Sunday evening.
The charges followed investigations into a report from the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an online user transmitting child abuse content.
Police allegedly identified the man as the online user and executed search warrants in Launceston and Hobart on Sunday during which they found and seized electronic devices they allege contained child abuse material.
The devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
The man was arrested at his home and charged with one count of using a carriage service for child abuse material, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail.
"This is distressing news, and wellbeing services are being made available to all staff as required," Tasmania Police said in a statement on Sunday.
"As an organisation, we have committed to better-protecting children and ensuring the values and behaviour of Tasmania Police meets the high standards expected by the community."
Tasmanian Police said it would continue to work alongside the AFP on the investigation and as part of the Tasmanian Joint Anti Child Exploitation team.
"It is not appropriate for us to comment further as the matter is before the courts," the statement said.
The AFP urged members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse to come forward.
"The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combating child abuse," it said in a statement.
"If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately."
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
