Police Association Fuming As Cops Left Shaken After Patonga Punch Up

Bucks party got out of hand


Article heading image for Police Association Fuming As Cops Left Shaken After Patonga Punch Up

Police Association NSW

Four men have been granted bail to appear in court next month charged after police and a security guard were allegedly assaulted on the Central Coast at the weekend.

Officers from Brisbane Water Police District were called to a hotel at Patonga about 7pm on Saturday (23 February 2019), responding to reports of a disturbance involving a group of intoxicated men.

When they attempted to arrest a man for the alleged assault of a security guard, a group of men intervened, and an officer was allegedly knocked to the ground.

Police will allege a man began choking the male police officer until a security guard came to his assistance.

Another man man allegedly punched the security guard several times to the face, fracturing his jaw.

A second police officer was also punched in the face and head.

Extra police arrived and arrested three men, a 48 and 28 year old from Ettalong and an 18 year old from Castle Hill. Those men were taken to Gosford Police Station where they were charged with a string of offences.

All have faced court and been granted conditional bail.

A 4th man, aged 34, was arrested the next day at a Umina property and later charged before also being bailed.

A security guard remains in hospital, being treated for facial fractures.

All the police officers involved were able to complete their shifts.

Below is the official response from the Police Association of NSW.

 

NSW police assault ‘sickening’

PANSW Media Release: 26 February 2019

An attack on police officers over the weekend in which two officers were set upon by a group of people is sickening, the Police Association of NSW said today.

PANSW President, Tony King, said the incident, which occurred on the Central Coast, is shocking, as is the fact that despite facing serious charges and prosecutors opposing bail, three of the men involved – including the main alleged offender - have walked free. 

The incident occurred on the same night of a similar event in Melbourne in which police were also attacked by a group.

“Incidents like this make you sick to the stomach,” Mr King said.

“These officers were simply doing their job. Next thing they know, they’ve been set upon and brutally attacked.

“We’re hearing reports that one of the officers was strangled until he was almost unconscious. This is a horrific act of violence perpetrated against people who were simply out there doing their job, trying to keep the community safe.

“Police are sick and tired of being used as punching bags for thugs.

“Our members have had an absolute gutful of being attacked in the line of duty and then not being backed up and supported by the courts.

“The courts again fail to live up to the expectations of police and their communities.

“If you assault a police officer the community expects you to be locked up. If you choke a police officer you should not see the light of day for years.

“It’s deeply disturbing to think about what these offenders are capable of.

“Stories like these really hit our policing community hard. We know the risks when we get into the job, but seeing one of your own attacked in such a brutal fashion really hits you hard.

“Incidents like this highlight the need for programs like the Workforce Improvement Program, which help cops with their mental and physical rehabilitation.”

 

 

 

 

 

26 February 2019




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