Queensland’s top cop has described as “very confronting” footage of a violent arrest where a driver was repeatedly punched and then tasered.
Police were responding to a three-car crash in Brisbane’s north on June 22 when the agitated man allegedly confronted an officer from inside a car.
Investigators say he was under the influence at the time and drinking from a wine bottle, which the officer tried to confiscate before it was thrown at him.
Bystander footage shows an officer repeatedly striking the man before deploying his Taser while multiple firefighters look on.
The man allegedly spat on another officer.
Police said the Taser was used after several warnings and the man was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment of minor cuts.
Commissioner Katarina Carroll defended the officer’s use of force, and the incident in Strathpine had to be viewed in context.
“I found it very confronting,” she told reporters on June 23.
“But when I saw it in context, what the situation was, I can further understand why that use of force option was chosen.”
The internal review involving bystander footage as well as video from the officer’s body camera will be investigated by the Ethical Standards Command.
“I had the opportunity to see the entire incident - it was volatile and there were angry scenes,” Carroll said.
“The officer gave very clear instructions as to what he expected.”
Carroll said the officer had not been stood down at this stage.
She also confirmed he had previously been involved in an assault of a homeless man in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall in 2006.
“That matter had been dealt with years ago, but part of the assessment that will be done will also look at the officer’s history and what was involved in the past.
“I think that needs to be further explained to the public.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan agreed that most people would consider the footage confronting and called for a thorough investigation.
“Members of the community expect the very best from their police officers,” he said.
“It’s challenging work, it’s dangerous work but it’s also work which requires people always to act lawfully and with integrity and with honesty.
“The commissioner is taking it very seriously.
“Let’s let the full investigation happen - if someone’s done the wrong thing, there should be consequences but let’s have a thorough investigation.
An initial assessment of the incident is expected within days.
