The son of a top cop has been fined and banned from driving for six months, for riding a motorcycle at more than 60km/h above the speed limit.
Michael Blanch, who is the son of Western ‘s Police Commissioner Col Blanch, pleaded guilty to the speeding offence at Joondalup Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Blanch, who is also a serving police officer, was clocked on a Honda motorcycle doing at 132km/h in a 70km/h zone on December 28, 2023, in the northern suburbs of Perth.
He was fined $1,200, with costs of $270, and is restricted from riding or driving for six months.
Blanch (pictured left) is seen smiling proudly next to his father when he was promoted to commissioner in 2022
He did not apply for a spent conviction – meaning the driving offence will now appear on his record.
Police Commissioner Blanch told morning radio on Wednesday he was disappointed by his son’s actions.
‘I’m disappointed obviously as a father and certainly as a commissioner, but I love my son and I will always support him, no matter what he does and hopefully he learns a significant lesson from this.
‘He’s not above the law and he will cop the consequences like everyone else does at court.’
Police Commissioner Blanch (pictured) told morning radio on Wednesday said he was disappointed by his son’s actions but still loves him
Police Commissioner Blanch confirmed he’d also removed himself from the disciplinary process – which was being handled by a deputy police commissioner, explaining his son is ‘not above the law’
‘The first thing I did was brief the CCC Commissioner that my son was caught speeding, I also let the (police) minister know,’ the commissioner said.
‘I have totally removed myself from any of the disciplinary processes, I have given that to a deputy commissioner.
‘I don’t talk to her about it, she will deal directly with the CCC Commissioner as required.’