Video of an off-duty police officer restraining a 13yo girl on a Perth train has sparked accusations of excessive force.

This is straight up violence and coercive control. This guy cannot be treated with kids gloves.

But its interesting how nicely everybody is speaking to him in the footage. If that was someone making a citizen’s arrest would the communication be that respectful? And is this a symptom of fear of authority bred by fairly onerous laws around police protection in this State? (it seems at this point in the footage he had informed them that he’s a cop).

  • As a corollary to this incident - Just imagine if there hadn’t been other people around, and it was this girls word against his. She’d be at risk of going to jail for assault of a police officer (mandatory sentencing laws)… and thats the problem with the laws protecting police.

Edit: fixed spelling of coercive.

  • Gorgritch_Umie_Killa@aussie.zoneOPM
    3·
    25 天前

    There definitely will be. But I don’t know it. ‘Reasonable person test’ will surely make up a part of it.

    Edit: Found this, not the kind of legal test a judge would rely on, but a good indication.

    While it is not abundantly clear what determines ‘excessive force’ during an arrest, there appears to be a distinct relationship between the force a police officer may be permitted to use, and the behaviour of the person being arrested — whether the person is obstructing an officer in the line of duty, defying arrest, or being physically violent.

    Andrew Williams Lawyer