Victoria Police officers have been accused of racial profiling, with a damning report showing they disproportionately targeted people of non-Anglo appearance during the pandemic.
African, Middle Eastern and First Nations people were up to four times more likely to be fined for COVID-19 breaches when considering their share of the state’s population.
More than 37,000 fines were issued for COVID-related offences in 2020, with at least 28,000 including details of the person’s perceived racial appearance, according to data from Inner Melbourne Community Legal released on Tuesday.
More than 20 percent were issued to people of African and Middle Eastern appearance, despite them only making up about five percent of the Victorian population.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people accounted for nearly three percent of all fines yet make up just one percent of the state’s population.
Melbourne suburbs with higher proportions of people from non-English speaking backgrounds also received more fines.
Lead researcher Tamar Hopkins said the data was evidence of racist policing.
“We found strong evidence that African/Middle Eastern-appearing people were more likely to be issued with a fine that required questioning than white people,” Hopkins said.
“This difference in treatment provides evidence of racial profiling by the police.”
Various fines were issued, including a $100 penalty for not wearing a mask, $2,726 for failing to isolate and up to nearly $5,000 for illegal gatherings.
Ilo Diaz from the Police Accountability Project, which is associated with Inner Melbourne Community Legal, called for all fines to be scrapped.
“We’re asking for all these fines to be waived,” Diaz told ABC radio in Melbourne.
“More importantly, we know that when police are given extra powers and extra discretion, it’s racialised communities that get impacted the most ... so we need a better accountability system for policing.”
The report has called for an independent complaints body to oversee police as part of its recommendations.
It follows an apology from Victoria’s top cop in May for racist practices within Victoria Police.
During a truth-telling inquiry, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton acknowledged the state’s criminal justice system had failed First Nations people over generations.
“I know Victoria Police has caused harm in the past and, unfortunately, continues to do so in the present,” he told the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
“As an organisation, we continue to make necessary changes and improvement, and it is a firm requirement of mine that we will continually strive to do better.”
Asked about Tuesday’s report, a spokeswoman for Victoria Police denied any wrongdoing.
“Victoria Police rejects any suggestion that officers targeted specific ethnic groups for COVID-19 offences,” she said.
“This is simply not true.”
Inner Melbourne Community Legal advocates for human rights and systemic change with a focus on police accountability.
13YARN 13 92 76
Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905
