Police Violence & Brutality
TOXICPOLICE.COM - A UNIQUE DATABASE OF AUSTRALIAN POLICE MISCONDUCT
Too often, serving Australian police officers are involved in unwarranted violent behaviour towards members of the public. Boys Club, macho culture. This results in injuries, and in some cases, death. Many of these instances are tied to racist behaviours towards indigenous people and migrants, but not exclusively.
As the twenty-first century examples below demonstrate, unwarranted violent behaviour towards the public is a longstanding issue and happens in a wide range of circumstances. Whilst the most serious cases result in police officers being stood down, dismissed or resigning their jobs, and jailed, in a disturbing number of cases they avoid jail sentences and even recording of convictions. The bar of punishment seems to be much higher for police officers than members of the public. It should be a lower bar since Australian police officers routinely carry a range of weapons on duty including pistols, tasers and batons and need to be demonstrably sufficiently responsible to be trusted with their use.
THREE TASMANIAN POLICE EMPLOYEES CHARGED OVER SEPARATE INCIDENTS - 2026 TASMANIA
In the space of six days, three Tasmanian police employees have been charged over separate incidents. The alleged offences include stealing, common assault and burglary.
FAMILY OF 95 yo CLARE NOWLAND, WHO DIED AFTER BEING TASERED, HOPE INQUEST WILL LEAD TO CHANGE - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
(See INQUEST INTO DEATH OF TASERED 95YO CLARE NOWLAND TO FOCUS ON DEMENTIA TRAINING - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES below)
It's the question that still keeps Mick Nowland awake at night. "Why did it have to happen?" Why was his mother Clare tasered by a police officer in her nursing home? What's to stop it happening to someone else? The eldest of Clare Nowland's eight children, Mick has spoken to Four Corners as part of an investigation into the use of tasers by police in Australia. The investigation has found the weapons, which are now carried by officers in every state and territory, are being used in situations they were never intended for.
POLICE CRITICISED FOR USING TASERS ON PEOPLE IN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNNECESSARY SITUATIONS - 2026 NATIONAL
A Four Corners analysis of coronial inquest findings and media reports since 2002 found 18 cases where a person died after being tasered by police. In many of these instances a coroner found the taser was a contributing factor to the death or did not reach a conclusion on the cause. In the past five years six people have died after being tasered, including 95-year-old Clare Nowland in 2023.
WOLLONGONG TRADESMAN JAILED FOR ROBBING PAEDOPHILE IN LIGHTNING RIDGE HEIST - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
A Wollongong tradesman has been jailed after he drove 780 kilometers to Lightning Ridge to rob an elderly convicted paedophile. He committed the crime alongside a police officer who was jailed for 10 years earlier this year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-01/wollongong-man-jailed-for-lightning-ridge-robbery/106601090
VIDEO OF POLICE OFFICER RESTRAINING 13YO GIRL ON PERTH TRAIN SPARKS EXCESSIVE FORCE PROBE - 2026 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
A 13-year-old girl alleges she was violently restrained by an off-duty police officer during an arrest on a Perth train. The teenager claims the officer pinned her to the ground and against a seat, causing her injuries, after she intervened in an attempted robbery on board. Her family has described the officer's actions as "disturbing" and raised concerns about excessive force, while WA Police say the officer's conduct is being investigated.
Questions raised over off-duty cop’s use of force against teen on Perth train after viral video
Vision of what unfolded on a busy Perth train carriage between an off-duty officer and a teenage girl has sparked calls to investigate.
POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AFTER OFFICER PUSHES INDIGENOUS WOMAN TO THE GROUND DURING ARREST IN
BROOME - 2026 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
An internal WA police investigation has been launched, after video footage emerged of a police officer pushing a woman in Broome. Police allege Evelyn Sampi was obstructing officers during an arrest, but she says she was acting out of concern for her relative's welfare.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-09/broome-police-video-shows-woman-shoved-to-ground/106543764
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED, NORTH COAST REGION 9 MARCH - 2026 QUEENSLAND
A 56-year-old male Senior Constable from the North Coast Region has been issued a notice to appear in relation to an alleged assault. The member has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, allegedly committed while on duty.
QUEENSLAND POLICE IN LEAKED BASHING VIDEO WERE SUBJECT TO DOZENS OF BRUTALITY COMPLAINTS - 2026 QUEENSLAND
A Queensland police unit on the Gold Coast generated dozens of brutality complaints and a longstanding reputation among colleagues for excessive force before several of its members were publicly exposed in a leaked video.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-18/qld-police-misconduct-whistleblower-rick-flori/9519104
EX-POLICE OFFICER JOHATHAN ANDREW BEARD CITES 'COP'S SIX SENSE' OVER ALLEGED KNOCK AND RUN ASSAULT - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
Ex-Kings Cross Commander Jonathan Andrew Beard has told his assault hearing he had "a cop's sixth sense" when drunken men played a game of knock and run on his house. Prosecutors allege former superintendent Beard was the aggressor and was "hell-bent on inflicting punishment" on the men. Former superintendent Beard has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault. The hearing continues.
POLICE BODYCAM FOOTAGE CAPTURES 'RETRIBUTIVE' FORCE USED ON ST EDMUNDS COLLEGE HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER - 2026 AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
Bodycam footage shows tactical police forcing Tayler Hazell to the ground after he was handcuffed following a hit-and-run outside St Edmund's College in 2025. Prosecutors accept the force used by police was unlawful, while an AFP investigation found the officers's conduct breached professional standards.
CORONER FINDS POLICE TACTIC NOT THE CAUSE OF TOOWOOMBA INDIGENOUS MAN'S DEATH IN CUSTODY - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
A Queensland coroner has handed down his findings into the 2021 death in custody of Indigenous man Steven Nixon-McKellar. Mr Nixon's cause of death was determined as "multi-factorial" and not the direct result of police using a lateral vascular neck restraint (LVNR) during his arrest.
NSW POLICE DEFENDS OFFICERS' ACTIONS IN VIOLENT CLASHES WITH SYDNEY PROTESTERS RALLYING AGAINST ISRAELI PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG'S VISIT - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
The NSW premier and a senior police officer have defended actions taken against protesters at Monday night's rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit. Police say officers were "threatened, jostled and assaulted" during "a number of melees, rolling fights" and "violent behaviour". Protest organiser Josh Lees said the violence could have been avoided if police allowed protesters to march and there was "sickening police brutality".
Mother of teenager allegedly assaulted by NSW police at Sydney protests to press charges
Protesters were punched, pushed, and arrested but were NSW Police actions excessive? - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
When does the use of force by police become excessive? It's a question being asked by some after footage of protesters being punched, pushed and arrested in Sydney's CBD during a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit on Monday.
Muslim leader urges public apology over police 'manhandling' at Sydney protest - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
A Muslim leader is calling for a public apology from police for their actions towards a group praying at a Sydney protest. Vision shows a group of Muslims praying on the ground at a protest against the Israeli president's visit before being "manhandled".
Threats of legal action amid growing anger about police conduct at Sydney protests - ABC NEWS - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
Some protesters caught up in violent clashes with police in Sydney on Monday night are now threatening to sue. They say they're victims of police brutality and were assaulted by officers. Despite some discontent from within his own party, the premier has stood firm in his support of the police response as calls grow for an independent investigation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSkZBZ6a8Go
Law Enforcement Conduct Commission announces investigation into police actions during Sydney protest - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission will investigate the actions of officers during Monday's protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Sydney. The watchdog says it is "in the public interest" to investigate the violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/lecc-investigates-town-hall-protest-response/106340598
Police actions under formal investigation - 9 News Australia - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbNbi3iHzJ8
Increased use of pepper spray, police weapons at protests alarms rights groups - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES / NATIONAL
Legal and human rights groups have raised concerns about the increasing use of pepper spray and other weapons at protests. The NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission is investigating the actions of police a week ago during the protest over Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney. Human rights groups are calling for a review and possible ban of police use of weapons for crowd control.
SUPREME COURT FINDS POLICE UNLAWFULLY USED CAPSICUM SPRAY AT CLIMATE PROTEST IN LANDMARK CLASS ACTION - 2025 VICTORIA
The rights of protesters to demonstrate without fear of heavy-handed police tactics have today been upheld by the Supreme Court. The court found in favour of a landmark class action over Victoria Police’s use of capsicum spray against lead plaintiff Jordan Brown (pictured) at a protest outside the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Melbourne on 30 October 2019. Her Honour Justice Harris held that police officers’ conduct at the IMARC protest when they twice sprayed Mr Brown with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) foam, also known as capsicum spray, was an unlawful use of force, constituting battery. The claims of other group members are yet to be resolved.
MEN LEFT 'SHAKEN' AND 'OVERWHELMED' AFTER ARREST IN LIVERPOOL INTEND TO SUE NSW POLICE - NEW SOUTH WALES 2025
The Victorian men arrested over security concerns in Liverpool are intending to take legal action against NSW Police. The lawyer representing the men said some of them were still in pain from the injuries sustained during the arrest. NSW Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing and would not comment at this time.
FAMILY DEMANDS PROBE INTO NSW POLICE USE OF FORCE AFTER VIDEO OF DUBBO ARREST - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
Bystanders filmed the late-night arrest of Darren Biles in Dubbo on December 10 and shared it on social media. Mr Biles, who was allegedly injured during the incident, was later charged with two counts of assault against officers and of resisting arrest. NSW Police said the officers' actions will be subject to an internal review, but Mr Biles's family wants the independent watchdog to investigate.
INQUEST INTO DEATH OF TASERED 95YO CLARE NOWLAND TO FOCUS ON DEMENTIA TRAINING - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
(See 95 YEAR OLD NURSING HOME RESIDENT FEMALE DIES AFTER TASERING BY POLICE OFFICER. FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER BUT NOT JAILED - 2023 NSW below)
Clare Nowland, 95, died in hospital in 2023 after being tasered by police officer Kristian White. White, whose employment with NSW Police has been terminated, was found guilty of manslaughter and given a non-custodial sentence. A court has heard the training of aged-care staff and first responders in dealing with people experiencing dementia will be the primary focus of an upcoming inquest into the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland.
NSW POLICE PEPPER SPRAY 87-YEAR-OLD MAN IN SYDNEY AGED CARE HOME - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
Police officers pepper sprayed an 87-year-old man at a nursing home in Camden after the man was seen brandishing "a metal ornament". The man was "restrained" by police before being taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Campbelltown Hospital. Police said it was "challenging" for officers who arrived on scene.
POLICE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT AFTER THE DEATHS OF 10 PEOPLE - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
The NSW Police unit tasked with training 16,000 officers on mental health responses was staffed by just three people and led by an inspector found to have engaged in misconduct before it was overhauled. It comes as coroners overseeing inquests into the deaths of 10 people have criticised how police respond to mental health episodes over the past decade.
POLICE USED UNREASONABLE FORCE IN FATAL SHOOTING OF BRADLEY BALZAN, CORONER FINDS - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
A coroner has found police used an unreasonable level of force during the fatal shooting of Sydney man Bradley Balzan. Mr Balzan was shot dead by a police officer in 2020 in his backyard in Western Sydney.
OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOUBLE MURDER, ALLEGED TO HAVE USED SERVICE PISTOL - 2024 - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
Young couple Jesse Baird, a TV presenter, and Luke Davies, a Qantas flight attendant, were allegedly killed in Mr Baird's home. See Beau Lamarre-Condon case on Extreme Cases page.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-02/sydney-mardi-gras-honours-jesse-baird-luke-davies/103534778
Murder accused former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon makes courtroom outburst
Former cop threatens to expose police corruption
Beau Lamarre-Condon, the former police officer accused of double murder, has made an extraordinary outburst in court, threatening to expose the police.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXo2mNKzyMs
WA POLICE FIND 'INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE' TO CHARGE OFFICER IN ALLEGED CHOKING COMPLAINT AFTER ROAD INCIDENT - 2025 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Sean Beasley was driving with his daughter Sky in Perth's western suburbs in February last year when Sergeant Glen Morey allegedly "cut him off". The men fought after the sergeant got out of his car and approached Mr Beasley, who alleges he was choked, and says he hit the sergeant's face. The state's anti-corruption watchdog says the officer should be charged, but police say there is "insufficient evidence".
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch rules out further action against officer allegedly involved in road incident.
OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT OVER PROTEST ARREST OF FORMER GREENS CANDIDATE HANNAH THOMAS - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
A NSW Police officer has been charged with assault over the arrest of federal election Greens candidate Hannah Thomas.
Ms Thomas alleges she was punched by a male officer during an anti-Israel protest in south-west Sydney.
NSW Police officer charged with 'more serious' offence over Hannah Thomas arrest. Ms Thomas's lawyers say her eye injury allegedly sustained during the arrest is "serious and ongoing".
Hannah Thomas Plans to Sue Police, Now That All Criminal Charges Have Been Withdrawn
The New South Wales Police Force has dropped the charges it laid against lawyer Hannah Thomas. So, the remaining scenario is, as her lawyers maintain, that Thomas was allegedly punched in the face by a police officer, whom she, as a legal observer at an antigenocide protest, was querying about the legitimacy of move-on order he’d issued. Thomas now plans to sue the NSW Police Force for malicious prosecution and also potentially sue police for assault over the brutality inflicted upon her and the baseless criminal charges that followed.
TWO POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER AFTER HOPPERS CROSSING ARREST - 2025 VICTORIA
The Homicide Squad has charged two police officers with negligent manslaughter over the death of a man following his arrest last year. Luke Briggs, 35, was arrested in Hoppers Crossing in July 2024, and died in hospital eight days later.
SUSPENDED POLICE OFFICER APPEARS IN COURT ACCUSED OF ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE AND ASSAULT - 2025 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Serving police officer Mark Andrew Orford has appeared in court for the first time, accused of abuse of public office and assault.
The 53-year-old is charged with two alleged historical assaults and of being a public officer using information to secure a benefit, dating back to 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cHrpp3I7I5I
OFFICER WHO SHOT INDIGENOUS WOMAN RESIGNS FROM FORCE - 2025 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
An officer who fatally shot an Indigenous woman in WA's Midwest in 2019 has resigned from WA Police.
Brent Wyndham was acquitted of the murder of JC, as she is known for cultural reasons, on grounds of self-defence.
BROOME'S TOP COP RESPONDS TO VIDEO OF OFFICER PUSHING MAN TO THE GROUND - 2025 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The superintendent of police in WA's Kimberley says a Broome police officer who was captured on video pushing a man to the ground at a public oval this week has been stood aside. Superintendent says on face value, the action seems "excessive".
Investigation after Broome police officer filmed apparently knocking older man to the ground.
INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG REVIEWING POLICE CONDUCT AFTER MAN PUSHED, TASERED IN KALGOORLIE - 2025 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The probe has resulted in disciplinary action against an officer, as well as a charge of disorderly conduct against the man being dropped.
FORMER POLICE OFFICERS JAILED OVER ASSAULT AND PEPPER SPRAY OF MENTALLY UNWELL WOMAN - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
Former police officers, Timothy John Trautsch and Nathan Black, will serve three years in jail over the 2023 attack of a mentally unwell woman.The officers assaulted and pepper sprayed the woman during a welfare check in Western Sydney, and the incident was captured on body-worn camera.The judge described the attack as "deliberate and ongoing", saying the officers showed "complete and utter contempt for the victim". According to the agreed facts, Trautsch used his pepper spray to the woman's face and genitals, while Black dragged her along the road by her hair and also used his spray. Both men repeatedly kicked and stomped on her while she was on the ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWB0M2Qg81E
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNS POLICE BRUTALITY CAUSING THE DEATH OF 24 YEAR OLD ABORIGINAL MAN - 2025 NORTHERN TERRITORY
Amnesty International Australia is distressed and alarmed by the death of a 24-year-old Aboriginal man while in police custody following an incident of police brutality at a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs on Tuesday afternoon. The young man’s death was caused by police who held him in restraint that stopped him from breathing, forcing him to lose consciousness. He was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics took him to Alice Springs Hospital.
POLICE ARREST AT CENTRE OF INTERNAL INVESTIGATION - 2025 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A shocking eastern suburbs arrest is currently at the centre of an internal SA Police investigation. Man in a critical condition.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OGDqPhvBTQ4
SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION, STALKING AND ASSAULT - 2025 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A South Australia Police officer is on paid leave after being charged with a series of offences. The Western District officer was arrested by detectives from the South Australia Police Anti-Corruption Section on Wednesday, following a “lengthy investigation”, police said. The officer was charged with one count of abuse of public office, one count of aggravated stalking and two counts of aggravated assault.
OMBUDSMAN FINDS ACT POLICING ESCALATED SOME CASES INVOLVING USE OF FORCE - 2025 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
A review of cases involving the use of force by police in the ACT has found situations are being unnecessarily escalated by the "unprofessional behaviour" of officers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMT2_9FI7wM
NSW POLICE OFFICER'S CASUAL ASSAULT ON FIRST NATIONS WOMAN HIGHLIGHTS SYSTEMIC ISSUE - NEW SOUTH WALES 2025
Footage capturing yet another incident revealing the casual callous violence with which NSW police officers regularly approach First Peoples has gone viral. The 22 July 2025 incident involves an officer approaching Aboriginal woman Jaleenah Collins unawares from behind and forcefully shoving her to the ground outside a school on Ngarigo land in the southern NSW regional town of Bungendore.
OFFICER CHARGED FOLLOWING ALLEGED ASSAULT - SYDNEY CBD - 2025 NEW SOUTH WALES
A police officer has been charged with assault following an arrest in Sydney’s CBD last year. On Monday 27 May 2024, officers were patrolling Central Railway Station when a man was reportedly seen jumping ticket barriers. The man ran from police and following a foot pursuit, he was arrested at Broadway. During the arrest, an officer deployed OC spray before further police attended and restrained the man. Police commenced an internal investigation in relation to the incident.
CCTV FOOTAGE OF SHOPPING CENTRE BRAWL PROMPTS FRESH INQUIRY INTO ALLEGATIONS OF UNREASONABLE FORCE BY POLICE - 2024 NEW SOUTH WALES
CCTV of a shopping centre brawl involving kids as young as 12 has sparked a fresh investigation into police handling of the incident. The police watchdog has ordered NSW Police to look further into the scuffle that took place late last year in Batemans Bay.
POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING WOMAN AND THREE GIRLS AT BATEMANS BAY SHOPPING CENTRE - 2024 NEW SOUTH WALES
A 37-year-old police officer has been charged with assaulting a woman and three girls while on duty Police allege the assaults occurred at a Batemans Bay shopping centre last October.
Police officer pleads not guilty to six assault charges in Batemans Bay
PROTESTERS SUE VICTORIA POLICE FOR ASSAULT BY RIOT SQUAD - 2024 VICTORIA
Three protesters are suing Victoria Police over a rally in Melbourne, where they claim they were assaulted by a member of the force's riot squad. Their lawyer has described the alleged assaults as "completely unprovoked".
DOZENS OF POLICE OFFICERS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES INCLUDING VIOLENT ACTS - 2024 VICTORIA
A total of 78 officers and public transport police, known as Protective Services Officers, were facing charges for criminal or traffic offences as of April 16, 2024. Data released by the force revealed 68 police and five public transport police are facing criminal charges while five officers are charged with traffic offences. Sexual assault, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault were the most common charges. They relate to alleged incidents that happened while officers were either working or off duty.
https://www.seymourtelegraph.com.au/national/dozens-of-police-facing-criminal-charges/
AFP EMPLOYEE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HIS WIFE - 2024 AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
(Note this case may not relate to a serving, sworn officer) An Australian Federal Police employee has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his wife after he allegedly stabbed her during a violent altercation earlier this month. He is facing three charges including attempted murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-23/afp-employee-attempted-murder-wife-not-guilty/104130256
POLICE COMPLAINT MADE AFTER VIDEO SHOWS MAN BEING SHOVED AND DRAGGED BY OFFICER NEAR PORT AUGUSTA - 2024 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Footage of a man being shoved into a wall by a police officer before being dragged through a front yard has been shared on social media, with SA Police confirming a formal complaint has been made about the incident.
INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG SAYS WA POLICE INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS WERE INADEQUATE AFTER ARREST OF INDIGENOUS TEEN - 2024 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Concerns were raised after WA Police arrested a 14-year-old Indigenous girl who was walking home at night. The CCC was highly critical, saying the "arrest and subsequent force used were unlawful, unreasonable, oppressive and unjust".WA Police conducted two internal investigations, both of which largely cleared its officers of wrongdoing. But the CCC, concerned about the outcome of the probes said the response was "inadequate" and ordered a third investigation.
SHOCKING FOOTAGE OF OFFICERS USING EXCESSIVE FORCE - 2024 QUEENSLAND
Shocking video of a Queensland police officer taunting and using extreme force on a group of friends outside a Gold Coast nightclub.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XWLBt7Dnvo
POLICE OFFICERS STOOD DOWN OVER ASSAULT OF 92-YEAR-OLD MAN - 2024 NEW SOUTH WALES
Two police officers have been charged with assaulting a 92-year-old man, who suffered a broken arm and serious bruising, while they tried to arrest him. It took six months before they were stood down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJmngq1P_rE
SEX CRIMES DETECTIVE FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUALLY TOUCHING WOMAN IN NSW POLICE STATION WITHOUT HER CONSENT. JAILED - 2024 NEW SOUTH WALES
A sex crimes detective has been found guilty of abusing his position by twice sexually touching a teen complainant without her consent but has been acquitted of raping her.
https://nswcourts.com.au/articles/nsw-sex-crime-squad-detective-imprisoned-for-sexual-offences/
IBAC CHARGES VICTORIA POLICE SERGEANT WITH ASSAULT - 2024 VICTORIA
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has charged a Victoria Police sergeant with common assault. The charges follow IBAC’s Operation Indigo investigation into the alleged assault of a young person on 13 November 2023.
https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/ibac-charges-sergeant-with-assault-august-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.co
MOST ALLEGATIONS FOR ASSAULT OR EXCESSIVE FORCE BY SERVING OFFICERS WARRANTED FURTHER ACTIONS DID NOT RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS - 2023 QUEENSLAND
Annual report shows most allegations that warranted further action last year were dealt with by ‘local management resolution’
SON OF FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF COMMON ASSAULT AND ONE OF COMMON ASSAULT (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) - CHARGES SUBSEQUENTLY DROPPED - 2023 NEW SOUTH WALES
Nicholas McCormack, son of former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, charged with multiple counts of assault. 2025 court case dismissed four charges, including domestic violence charge, officer pleaded guilty to common assault, but no conviction recorded.
BEATEN REPEATEDLY WITH A BATON IN A WATCH HOUSE. INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED FORCE REASONABLE - 2023 QUEENSLAND
Indigenous teenager beaten in Brisbane watch house.
NT POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH RAPE, CHOKING IN A DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT - 2023 NORTHERN TERRITORY
A Northern Territory police officer is behind bars after being charged with rape. The 30-year-old male officer was arrested on Friday, according to a statement from NT Police. He was charged with sexual intercourse without consent, choking, strangling or suffocating in a domestic relationship and aggravated assault. The officer has been remanded in custody and will face court on Monday.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-23/nt-police-officer-charged-with-rape-choking-assault/102893122
ALLEGATIONS OF EXCESSIVE FORCE BY SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE - 2023 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Magistrate rejects police statements but no prosecution of officers pursued. SA Government spent $4.2m settling lawsuits for injuries caused in the last decade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5lZst0erkOo
WOMAN KILLED AFTER BEING SHOT WITH TASER AND BEAN BAG ROUNDS - 2023 NEW SOUTH WALES
Police say the use of "less than lethal" options will be investigated following the death of a woman who was tasered and hit with a bean bag round during a stand-off with police. See Krista Kach case on Extreme Cases page.
No body-worn video evidence available for inquest into Krista Kach's death, coroner hears - 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES
Krista Kach, 47, died in 2023 after a beanbag round fired by police struck her heart. NSW State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan is examining her death, which occurred after a 10-hour stand-off at Stockton in Newcastle.
95 YEAR OLD NURSING HOME RESIDENT FEMALE DIES AFTER TASERING BY POLICE OFFICER. FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER BUT NOT JAILED - 2023 NEW SOUTH WALES
The officer received a two-year community correction order and 425 hours of community service, despite an appeal by
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. See Clare Nowland case on Extreme Cases page.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-30/kristian-white-sentence-appeal-court/105533064
POLICE OFFICER GUILTY OF ASSAULTING INDIGENOUS TEEN WITH LEG SWEEP - 2023 NEW SOUTH WALES
A New South Wales police officer has been found guilty of assaulting an Indigenous teenager during an arrest in Sydney in 2020.
Video of the incident shows Constable Ryan Barlow holding the 16-year-old's arms behind his back and using a "leg sweep" to take him to the ground.
OFFICER ENGAGED IN SERIOUS MISCONDUCT DURING ARREST OF MAN IN MIRRABOOKA, INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG FINDS - 2023 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WA's Corruption and Crime Commission has found a police officer engaged in serious misconduct by pulling, punching and swearing at a man he was arresting and using punitive, unnecessary and excessive force.
EXPOSE OF ALLEGED BRUTALITY - 2023 VICTORIA
Reporter reveals extraordinary cases where Australians claim they’ve encountered police at their very worst. These victims have suffered life-changing physical injuries as a result, but even more worrying, they have then been confronted by a flawed complaints system and a police culture where covering up seems more important than the truth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32GpdD3CEg
ABORIGINAL ACTIVISTS IN AUSTRALIA FIGHT BACK AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY (U.S. ARTICLE) - 2022 NATIONAL
Indigenous Australians make up just 3% of the population but are about 30% of the prison population, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology, which makes them among the most jailed people in the world.
POLICE OFFICER WHO CHOKED MAN DURING ARREST USED EXCESSIVE FORCE, INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG FINDS - 2021 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
An investigation by Western Australia's corruption watchdog has found two WA Police officers engaged in serious misconduct — and one used excessive force — when arresting a man in a public car park in 2019. The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) report found the arrested man likely lost consciousness and received lacerations, scratches, a black eye and other bruising in the incident which happened in the early hours of November 10, 2019.
FINAL REVIEW OF THE WA POLICE FORCE RESPONSE TO AN INCIDENT IN THE LOCK UP OF A COUNTRY TOWN - 20121 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
On 21 March 2018, the Commission reported to Parliament on its review of the response of the WA Police Force to an incident involving the use of force incident in a country town. The report raised concerns about the use of force incident and additional
issues. Four recommendations were made.
CCTV SHOWS POLICE USING EXCESSIVE FORCE AS THEY TASER AND PEPPER-SPRAY CANBERRA MAN - 2021 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
A Canberra magistrate has found that police used "excessive force" and had not lawfully arrested a man accused of refusing to leave a nightclub in the Canberra CBD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OlQDJcqyMM
NSW POLICE OFFICER MARK FOLLINGTON FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULTING SYDNEY WOMAN, FALSIFYING EVIDENCE - 2021 NEW SOUTH WALES
A NSW police officer has been found guilty of brutally assaulting a woman and then falsifying evidence to "mislead a judicial tribunal". Today, a magistrate at Sydney's Downing Centre court complex said Senior Constable Mark Follington had "no reason" to arrest Anya Bradford at the Golden Fleece Hotel in LiverpooL.
POLICE BRUTALITY ESCALATES UNDER THE COVER OF COVID - 2021 NATIONAL
Australia watched on in disbelief as the violence on Melbourne streets escalated over the past week, with hoards of heavily armed police officers clashing with members of the public protesting against extended lockdowns and vaccination mandates. The mainstream media has focused heavily on violence and offensive acts allegedly committed by protesters, was largely overlooking the many instances of police brutality – whereby officers used excessive force to perform arrests and engaged in conduct amounting to dangerous assaults against members of the public.
https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-brutality-escalates-under-the-cover-of-covid/
GUILTY OF OCCASIONING ACTUAL BODILY HARM - 2020 NEW SOUTH WALES
New South Wales police officer has been found guilty of assaulting a 16-year-old Indigenous boy in inner Sydney in 2020 when he arrested him.
POLICE WATCHDOG SAYS OFFICER ENGAGED IN SERIOUS MISCONDUCT AND UNREASONABLE USE OF FORCE - 2020 NEW SOUTH WALES
A New South Wales police officer engaged in serious misconduct and unreasonable use of force when he injured an Aboriginal teenager by throwing a torch at his head, an independent body has found.
ABORIGINAL CHILD BRUTALISED BY NSW POLICE OFFICERS - 2020 NEW SOUTH WALES
The NSW Police Force continue to display disturbing tendencies with the emergence of footage showing a young boy surrounded by four Sydney police officers while he is held against a fence, pleading with the officers. The obviously distressed child is restrained by male police officers who bark orders at him whilst shining their high-powered torches in his face.
https://obriensolicitors.com.au/nsw-police-brutality-sydney-child-violence-officers/
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH MURDER - 2020 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
A police officer who allegedly shot dead a woman on a suburban street is the first to be charged with murder while in the line of duty in the state in 93 years,
POLICE NOT CHARGED DESPITE DAMNING VIDEO FOOTAGE - 2020 QUEENSLAND
In spite of damning video footage that clearly shows Ray Currier being punched by police in the chest and head, then shoved and held down while being beaten on a footpath the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) says there is ‘not enough evidence’ to charge the officer responsible.
https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-not-charged-despite-damning-video-footage/
WHY WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT AUSTRALIAN POLICE BRUTALITY AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT - 2020 NATIONAL
Australia’s Indigenous incarceration rates, at 2.5%, are higher than that of African-Americans and are yet to receive any form of justice or accountability for Aboriginal deaths in custody.
INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG FINDS POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT OVER TREATMENT OF 13 YEAR OLD BOY CAUGHT ON CCTV - 2020 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia's corruption watchdog has questioned the WA Police Force's decision not to charge an officer with assault over his treatment of a 13-year-old child in state care.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-20/ccc-report-into-use-of-police-force-against-a-child/12165464
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT - 2020 NEW SOUTH WALES
The 41-year-old was caught on CCTV waving his badge around and allegedly attacking a young woman trying to run away from him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j20MrU8U4Oo
FOOTAGE SHOWS POLICE OFFICER ASSAULTING INDIGENOUS TEEN - 2020 NEW SOUTH WALES
An Australian police officer was captured assaulting an indigenous teenage at a police station.
https://youtube.com/shorts/lDu5Su2ZMv4?si=xe2s20r1j89NeXGC
AUSTRALIAN POLICE: THE HISTORY OF SYSTEMIC BRUTALITY CONTINUES TO THIS DAY - 2020 NATIONAL
POLICE OFFICER TWICE CONVICTED OF ASSAULT - 2019 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WA Police Senior Constable filmed repeatedly punching a 20-year-old man in the head during the Sky Show celebrations. Same officer had a second conviction for assault in relation to an arrest of a man at a 2006 Australia Day fireworks display
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Australia_Police_Force
EXCESSIVE FORCE & VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PUBLIC, FAILURE TO RENDER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN TIME, INAPPROPRIATE CHARGES - 2019 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
An investigation by Western Australia's corruption watchdog has found two WA Police officers engaged in serious misconduct — and one used excessive force — when arresting a man in a public car park in 2019.
AUSTRALIAN POLICE BRUTALITY - LANDMARK UNITED NATIONS RULING AGAINST AUSTRALIAN POLICE - 2019 VICTORIA
UN Human Rights committee says 1996 bashing by police without warrant breached UN Top Covenant on civil and political rights and state must pay compensation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UffCWpVzPbY
POLICE BRUTALITY SUCCESSFULLY APPEALED - 2019 NEW SOUTH WALES
Back on Australia Day January 26th this year, Indigenous man Carl Hoppner was arrested by Toronto Police, near Newcastle, for intimidating his wife, and drunken and aggressive behaviour. There is CCTV footage of police kicking and punching Hoppner after his arrest. Mr Hoppner later pleaded guilty to headbutting and elbowing arresting officers and spitting blood-filled saliva on another.
https://share.google/IGtkmGCYK5AuUM2bo
ASSAULT OF A MINOR IN STATE CARE - 2018 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia's corruption watchdog has questioned the WA Police Force's decision not to charge an officer with assault over his treatment of a 13-year-old child in state care.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-20/ccc-report-into-use-of-police-force-against-a-child/1216546
QUEENSLAND POLICE IN LEAKED BASHING VIDEO WERE SUBJECT TO DOZENS OF BRUTALITY COMPLAINTS - 2018 QUEENSLAND
A Queensland police unit on the Gold Coast generated dozens of brutality complaints and a longstanding reputation among colleagues for excessive force before several of its members were publicly exposed in a leaked video. The failed prosecution of former police officer Rick Flori over the leak opened up former members of so-called Surfers Paradise "Team Two" to interrogation over their disciplinary records, which revealed internal investigations of 21 allegations of serious misconduct.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-18/qld-police-misconduct-whistleblower-rick-flori/9519104
POLICE BRUTALITY IN AUSTRALIA - 2018 NATIONAL
Videos of Australian police officers committing police brutality acts are going viral via social media at an alarming rate. Offending officers should be made accountable for their crimes. Less than 4 per cent of allegations of police brutality to regional Victorian police stations were upheld. Police handle internal investigations of such incidents, failing to consider relevant evidence and accepting police testimony over that of independent witnesses and video evidence.
https://sydneycriminaldefenceandtrafficlawyers.com.au/blog/police-brutality-in-australia/
MAN SUES POLICE OVER BRAIN INJURY SUSTAINED DURING ARREST - 2017 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Nathan Cross suing SA Police over incident in Victor Harbor Police Station that led to ill-advised assault charge. Officers cleared of assault charges.
FRESH ALLEGATIONS OF HEAVY-HANDEDNESS AND MISCONDUCT AT BALLARAT BRANCH - 2016 VICTORIA
Ballarat police officers accused of dragging the victim of a violent assault along the ground, before charging her with assaulting her alleged attacker.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-24/ballarat-police-again-accused-of-misconduct/7957754
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT BY INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG - 2016 VICTORIA
Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog has charged a Victoria Police officer with assault following an investigation into allegations of excessive force during the arrest of a man in Melbourne's north in 2016.
ROGER ROGERSON AND GLEN MCNAMARA SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR JAMIE GAO'S MURDER - 2016 NEW SOUTH WALES
Former detectives Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Jamie Gao. Rogerson, 75, and McNamara, 57, were found guilty of murdering Mr Gao, 20, during a drug deal at a Padstow storage facility on May 20, 2014 and dumping his body in waters off Cronulla the next day. In handing down the sentence, Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Bellew said: "The joint criminal enterprise to which each offender was a party was extensive in its planning, brutal in its execution and callous in its aftermath." See details of this case on the Extreme Cases pages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rCWdMWtWug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkmxuymg7Mg
OFFICER GUILTY OF ASSAULTING FEMALE PRISONER - 2015 VICTORIA
A jury has found a police officer guilty of assaulting a female prisoner while she was face down in the Ballarat police cells. Subsequently officer received 12 month good behaviour bond, no conviction recorded.
UNAUTHORISED PURSUIT AND INAPPROPRIATE USE OF FORCE - 2015 QUEENSLAND
Queensland Police Service conduct disciplinary investigation concerning allegations of engaging in an unauthorised pursuit, driving or causing a police motor vehicle to be driven in a manner likely to endanger other road users, and inappropriate use of force.
UNWARRANTED VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR, EVIDENCE FABRICATION - 2015 NEW SOUTH WALES
Driver physically out of his car and thrown onto gravel footpath and handcuffed. A second officer directed passenger to get out of the car and stand aside, third officer then told victim to get his hands out of his pockets, and despite the fact that he immediately complied, the officer shoulder-charged and knocked him unconscious.
https://nswcourts.com.au/articles/police-officer-bravely-speaks-out-about-police-misconduct/
ABC 7.30 REPORT - ARE AUSTRALIAN POLICE TOO TRIGGER HAPPY? - 2014 NATIONAL
A dramatic spike in fatal shootings by police has sparked calls for increased police training nationwide. In many cases, the casualties have been mentally ill and that's prompting families and criminologists to call for a review of police tactics and training.
POLICE OFFICER FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT AND PERJURY - 2013 NEW SOUTH WALES
A New South Wales police officer who tasered a man three times and then lied about the circumstances in court has been found guilty of both common assault and perjury.
POLICE BRUTALITY IN QUEENSLAND - 2013 QUEENSLAND
Queensland Police Officer blows the whistle on violent co-workers who deliberately set out to conduct themselves outside the scope of their employment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stl8FCTh0j8
BRAZILIAN BETO LAUDISIO CURTI DIES AFTER POLICE ARREST. OFFICERS CLEARED - 2012 NEW SOUTH WALES
Roberto Laudisio Curti (died 18 March 2012), known as Beto Laudisio, was a 21-year-old man from São Paulo, Brazil. He died on 18 March 2012 after being pursued, tackled, tasered, sprayed with OC spray, and physically compressed under the weight of multiple police officers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Beto_Laudisio
FORMER DETECTIVE DROPS BID TO CLEAR HIS NAME - 2012 VICTORIA
Former Victorian detective Denis Tanner has dropped a bid to clear his name over the 1984 death of his sister-in-law. In 1998, a second inquest into the shooting death of Jennifer Tanner at her Bonnie Doon home, in Melbourne's north-east, found Mr Tanner was responsible. He has never been charged.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-02/tanner-drops-bid-to-clear-his-name/4350042
AUSTRALIAN POLICE BRUTALITY - 2010 QUEENSLAND
Excessive force used against street people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b14CpFhEbJU
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT - 2008 WESTERN AUSTRALIA
A serving police officer has been charged with assaulting a woman and her child during a dispute in a Midland car park. It is alleged the 50-year-old sergeant grabbed the woman, and in the process lent on the child, during a dispute over a parking space outside the Midland Gate Shopping Centre. Police say nobody was injured during the incident. The officer was off duty at the time. He has been stood down from all duties and is due to appear in court next week.
REPORTS OF POLICE BRUTALITY, EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES ARE NOT NEW - 2005 VICTORIA
From around October 2005, the Flemington & Kensington Community Legal Centre received a huge number of reports of human rights abuses against African and Afghani Australians in the Flemington and surrounding regions.