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Anonymous ID: 42906a Sept. 19, 2021, 8:12 p.m. No.14619998   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0037

Victorian police union says officers treated like 'punching bags' at violent Melbourne anti-lockdown protests

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/melbourne-violent-anti-covid-lockdown-protests-injured-officers/100474300

Anonymous ID: 42906a Sept. 19, 2021, 8:14 p.m. No.14620017   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>0082

Videos have circulated on social media showing a woman being doused in capsicum spray after she was pushed to the ground by an officer, drawing questions on whether all officers used proportionate force.

 

Mr Gatt vehemently rejected suggestions that the force used was not justified.

 

"I'm not copping that one bit. They came to that demonstration with the intent to hurt our members, they succeeded against 10 of them," he said.

 

"I'm not copping looking at the 0.01 per cent of actions and looking at our members who were confronted with such overwhelming violence.

 

"Those actions wouldn't have occurred if those people didn't attend an unlawful protest."

 

Mr Gatt said the proportion of police response was not up for a moral debate.

 

"They [the protesters] have to look at themselves, we need to stop nancy-pancying around these people. We need to stop this needless debate about the proportionality issues of what’s right and what’s wrong," he said.

 

The large mobilisation of around 2,000 police officers at Saturday's protests is expected to have flow-on effects for staff availability in the coming weeks.

 

Mr Gatt urged Victorians to consider the impact of the protests on the state's stretched police force.

 

"If there is continued demand on Victoria Police, you would have to expect there is going to be continued impact on service delivery, it’s a natural consequence."

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/melbourne-violent-anti-covid-lockdown-protests-injured-officers/100474300