3 February 2022
The NTPA condemns yet another act of violence on frontline Police in which a member was hit in the face with a rock and another narrowly avoiding being kicked in the head during an arrest.
Two members were called to a town camp in Tennant Creek on Wednesday night after reports of two men armed with knives. He was among a group of 20 residents of a town camp who had gathered in the camp.
When confronted by police the one of armed man charged at the member. The member deployed their taser and as he was being arrested, another member of the group attempted to kick the member in the head.
After both members returned to their police car, a large rock was thrown at the car smashing through the passenger window, hitting one of the members across the side of the face.
The impact shattered the glass which caused lacerations to the member with glass showering their face.
NTPA President Paul McCue said the shocking attack on the members was another example of on-the-job violence members were exposed to.
“Our members should not be the target of violence when they are called to a location to protect the community from people armed with a knives,” he said.
“They were doing the job they were called out to do. The behaviour they have been exposed to is nothing short of disgusting and we echo the sentiment of Assistant Commissioner Dole who called this attack outrageous”.
The NTPA has been campaigning for years for stronger penalties for assaults on Police and are awaiting a review by Police Minister Nicole Manison which began last year.
“The community need to know there will be serious punishment, including actual jail time for an assault on a member of the NT Police force,” Mr McCue said.
“It is only good fortune on this occasion the members escaped the incident without serious injury.”
ENDS
Please direct all media enquiries to NTPA Communications Officer, Kieran Banks +61 (0) 499 017 654 or media@ntpa.com.au
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
