19 November 2020
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) has condemned a vicious attack on two members in Alice Springs, which was filmed and has been widely shared on social media.
NTPA President Paul McCue said the attack itself was abhorrent, but the fact a group of onlookers stood around laughing, cheering and filming the incident, before uploading it to social media – is absolutely disgusting.
“Our members were attempting to arrest a 14-year-old girl for breach of bail, when they were viciously attacked. A female officer suffered bruising to her face after she was punched several times and dragged along the ground by her hair. She was also scratched and bitten during the assault, while the male officer was spat on.
“This was a shocking, savage attack and a clear message needs to be sent that this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated by the community. We continue to lobby government for harsher penalties for our frontline workers, they are not employed to be the public’s punching bag.
The 14-year-old has been charged with three counts of Assault Police.
“At a time when police are completely under resourced, trying to protect the community from a pandemic, working extreme hours in extreme conditions, we see complete disregard for their authority in that video. The community as a whole should be as outraged as we are.
“Breach of bail was decriminalised by this Labour government so when the Chief Minister says there would be ‘consequences’ for unlawful behaviour, we want to know what that is, because the issue has become a revolving door for police. We’re seeking an urgent review of that legislative change,” said Mr McCue.
ENDS
Please direct all media enquiries to media@ntpa.com.au or by phone +61 (0) 8 8995 9520
The Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) is the industrial voice of all members of the Northern Territory Police Force. Read more via www.ntpa.com.au or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NTPoliceAssociation
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