Queensland’s police commissioner has defended an officer’s actions after “confronting footage” emerged of him repeatedly punching a man involved in a head-on crash in Brisbane’s north.
The footage, first published by Nine, appears to show the officer repeatedly punching and hitting the driver through a car window before Tasering the man, on Thursday.
The state’s police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, said “closed-hand tactics” are “confronting” but “useful”, and available to officers “for a reason”.
“From what I’ve seen, and certainly the escalation of the situation, that is one of the options that I expected that the officer should use,” Carroll told reporters on Friday.
“It is a very effective use of force, particularly if you are on your own, which the officer was.”
DEVELOPING: Shocking video has emerged in the aftermath of a car crash in Strathpine this afternoon.
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) June 22, 2023
Witnesses have told #9News they saw a car crash before capturing a violent interaction with an officer on video.
More to come.
WATCH LIVE at 6pm for a FULL report. #9News pic.twitter.com/sLCPYOc86y
Police said in a statement they arrived at the intersection of Gympie and Samsonvale roads at Strathpine at about 1.45pm on Thursday.
They alleged the “agitated” man had been drinking from a wine bottle, which he allegedly threw at the officer and then attempted to kick a car door into him.
Police also claim the man spat at another officer after additional officers arrived.
Carroll said she had reviewed footage of the “volatile” incident. She said the officer, who was on his own, had given “very clear instructions” of what he expected from the man.
She said she had been made aware of reports the officer involved had assaulted a homeless man in 2006 and had asked the police’s Ethical Standards Command (ESC) to investigate further.
“The matter was in 2006, some 17, 18 years ago. The matter had been dealt with but part of the assessment that will be done will also look at the officer’s history,” she said.
The police minister, Mark Ryan, said the commissioner was taking the matter “very seriously” and a thorough ESC investigation would take place.
“When it comes to policing, a lot of people expect a lot from this challenging work. It’s dangerous work. And it’s also work that requires people to always act lawfully and with integrity and honesty,” he said.
The man involved in the crash is in hospital receiving treatment for minor cuts.
