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SA police officers stole gaffer tape, ceramic elephant: court documents

Eight South Australia police officers at the centre of a corruption probe are accused of stealing gaffer tape, perfume and a ceramic elephant, court documents have revealed.

The documents, obtained by ABC News, shed new light on the alleged offending and reveal the bail conditions imposed on the arrested officers.

The officers from the Sturt Local Service Area's Operation Mantle team, a group charged with investigating low-level drug dealing, were arrested last month following a joint investigation involving the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander and SA Police Anti-Corruption Branch.

The team was made up of seven members and it is understood the eighth officer arrested was a former member of that team.

Each of the officers has been charged with at least two offences, including abuse of public office, property damage and theft.

It is alleged the offences occurred in September and October at Mitchell Park and Panorama.

The theft charges are aggravated because it is alleged the accused officers breached a position of trust or authority in committing the crimes.

The officers range in age from 27 to 53 - one is a sergeant and the others are either senior constables or constables.

Documents reveal two occasions of theft

Court documents allege that among the items stolen on the first instance on September 15 was a radio set, assorted electrical hand tools and gaffer tape, with each item said to be the property of SA Police.

It is further alleged that two bottles of liquor, perfume and a ceramic elephant were taken on the second occasion at Panorama on October 9.

On both occasions the value of the items was said to be less than $2,500.

Only three of the officers are charged with property damage, relating to the alleged damaging of carbon filter belonging to SA Police.

The officers have been suspended from work and under their bail agreements are not to contact each other, or to enter any police station unless reporting a crime.

Another condition of bail is that the officers agree not to cause or request any SA Police member to conduct any investigation or enquiry in relation to this matter on their behalf.

The officers are due to appear in court for the first time next month.