National Commissioner condemns video of Perth girl on train restrained by off-duty officer
A national authority has called on Western Australian police to investigate viral video of a girl being restrained by a police officer on a Perth train, calling it an example of “unreasonable force”.
The video has spread widely online and appears to show the aftermath of the alleged incident involving a group of teenagers on public transport on Sunday last week.
The footage, which appears to have been taken by a friend boarding a train on the Joondalup line, comes to light when a group of children on the train claim that another group is hostile to them and an off-duty police officer gets involved.
The off-duty officer can be heard claiming the girl “tried to punch him” and the footage shows the officer making moves to hold the girl against the train seat.
The girl’s head hit the window of the carriage, and when the girl began to cry, both she and her friends shouted at the officer.
The officer asks the train driver to be briefed on what happened, and in the footage, one of the bystanders is heard asking the officer for his badge number and telling him he believes he used unnecessary force on the girl, who claimed to be 13 years old.
The officer gives the bystander his work information and appears to be fed up with the allegations, and a transit officer approaches and shakes his hand before the video cuts out.
WA police later confirmed the girl had been charged with assault over the incident.
“The police officer, who was traveling with family members at the time of the alleged incident, suffered minor injuries and did not require medical treatment,” a spokesman said.
“The 13-year-old female was charged with one count of ‘common assault’ and given a juvenile warning.
“Relevant evidence material, including Public Transport Authority CCTV, has been obtained and is being reviewed by the WA Police Force as part of standard process.”
National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Sue-Anne Hunter has since condemned the actions seen in the vision.
“It is extremely disturbing and disturbing to watch the video that has circulated online over the last 24 hours,” he said in a statement.
“This is a representation of the violence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people can face every day.
“We have work to do as a nation to better protect them.”
Hunter said it was important for the relevant authorities to condemn the “unreasonable use of force.”
“This video is an example of damaging, deep-rooted colonial attitudes towards First Nations peoples that have led to the demonization and dehumanization of our children,” he said.
“The National Commission calls on Western Australian police to investigate this matter immediately. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people have the right to feel safe within their communities.”
WA Police confirmed an internal investigation was ongoing.
