Victorian cop under scrutiny for vicious takedown
WARNING: DISTRESSING FOOTAGE
A Victorian police officer will be investigated after footage has emerged showing an officer slamming someone to the ground in Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station.
The footage was posted to Twitter late Wednesday night, seemingly captured from a Facebook post, and depicts a man talking to a police officer before another officer walks up behind him, grabs him, and throws him to the ground.
The original caption says the man was unconscious, with blood and urine everywhere, but as no victim has come forward, these details remain unconfirmed.
Appearing on 3AW on Thursday, Victoria Police’s Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said Professional Standards Command would likely look into the matter. “We’ll investigate it with an open mind and look at it to determine whether they’ve acted appropriately,” Patton told 3AW.
Despite the alarming nature of the footage, Patton also said they would not be “jumping to conclusions” about what happened. “There is always a before and after with these matters, and context, and I think that’s important.”
Victoria Police also released a statement, saying that the exact circumstances are yet to be determined and are under investigation by both the Transit Safety Division and Professional Standards Command. The spokesperson added that police were keen to speak to the person who filmed the incident, as well as the person who was thrown to the ground.
The footage comes amidst several days of ongoing protests in Melbourne, including outside the CMFEU offices and at the Shrine of Remembrance. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews criticised the “appalling behaviour” of some protestors after there were reports of nurses being spat on near Melbourne Town Hall. In addition, the Victorian Department of Health confirmed that one of the protestors who was in the CBD on Wednesday has tested positive for COVID-19, and is now being treated in a Melbourne hospital.
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