NSW police are investigating an arrest in which an officer allegedly pushed a woman to the ground outside a school, an incident she says left her with a fractured rib, severe concussion and a cut to her ear.
The police force confirmed in a statement that it was investigating an incident at Bungendore, in the state’s south, on 22 July, after footage circulated online.
A 35-second video appears to show a woman with her back to the camera shouting at another woman, while a third stands between the pair.
An officer approaches from behind and appears to shove her to the side, causing her to fall to the ground, where she appears to strike her head against a pole.
He can be heard shouting “keep the fuck away” as he appears to push the woman. The officer then arrests her.
The woman, who is Aboriginal, claimed in a social media post sharing the footage: “I got knocked out! I suffered a severe concussion, I had to have my ear glued because of the cut I sustained and I also suffered a fractured rib from this assault.”
She declined to comment further. Her lawyer in the criminal matter, the Aboriginal Legal Service, has been contacted for comment. The Guardian understands the woman intends to pursue a civil claim against police at the conclusion of the criminal case.
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A solicitor advising her on the civil claim, Michael Lalor, declined to comment, other than to say: “if police are reflective of the society that they serve, the actions of police need to be judged against the values of that society”.
NSW police said in a statement that officers from the Monaro police district were called to a school on Majara Street, Bungendore, about 2.50pm on 22 July after reports a 15-year-old boy was allegedly threatened.
Police said that while officers were inside a building, a woman drove past the school when another 15-year-old boy allegedly threw a rock at her vehicle, causing the right passenger window to shatter.
“The woman stopped and got out of the vehicle, when she was threatened and chased by the boy and a 32-year-old woman known to the boy,” NSW police alleged.
“The officer and members of the public intervened and the boy was arrested. The woman, who police said was known to the boy, allegedly became aggressive towards police and attempted to physically intervene.
“Police warned the woman on a number of occasions, and while the boy was placed into the police vehicle, the woman allegedly threatened the other woman again.”
Police said a senior constable then “returned to the scene, arresting the 32-year-old woman”. They made no comment about the footage of the arrest, other than they were “reviewing footage circulating on social media about an incident involving a NSW Police officer”.
The boy and woman were taken to Queanbeyan police station after the incident. He was charged with stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm (personal), contravening an apprehended violence order, and destroying or damaging property, and was granted conditional bail, to appear at a children’s court on Monday.
She was charged with hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty and two counts of stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear or physical or mental harm, and was also granted conditional bail to appear in court on the same day.
Aboriginal Legal Service CEO, Karly Warner, said they were unable to comment on the specifics of the incident while there were legal proceedings under way.
“The Aboriginal Legal Service condemns police brutality in all circumstances. Aboriginal people are subjected to punitive police powers and excessive use of force at disproportionate rates. There is no room in our society for violence nor abuse of power especially from those who have sworn to serve and protect us.
“There are strict laws and regulations about how NSW Police exercise their powers and for good reason. Robust and independent police oversight and accountability is critical. Decisive action where police misconduct is proven is essential to support community trust in police and a society where we can all feel safe.”
