Police assaults in spotlight after alleged Torquay cop stabbing

More than 500 police and emergency services officers have been assaulted in the Geelong region over the last five years, data has revealed.

Police on the corner of Little Malop and Moorabool streets. Picture: Alan Barber

Police and emergency service officers are being assaulted at a shocking rate, with more than 500 offences recorded in the region over the last five years.

Earlier this week a police officer was seriously injured after they were allegedly stabbed by a resident while responding to a route welfare check in Torquay.

Geelong Acting Superintendent Michael Reid said police put their “lives on the line to protect the community every day”.

Crime Stastistics Agenncy data, for 12 months to June, found 103 police and emergency services workers had been assaulted in Geelong, down 22 per cent on the previous year.

Supt Reid said many assaults happen as a result of broader societal issues like excessive alcohol intake, mental health or being under the influence of drugs.

“While their role has always involved dealing with hostile, confrontational and often dangerous people, it is completely unacceptable for anyone to be hit, kicked, spat on or sworn at while they are doing their job.”

Since 2017, 574 emergency services personnel have been assaulted across the Greater Geelong municipality.

Assaults peaked in 2020 and 2021 during Covid-lockdown years, but appeared to be on the decline.

Five emergency services workers were assaulted on the Surf Coast and 18 in Colac-Otway shire across the year ending in June.

Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said there had been “increased tension” in communities across the state during and post-Covid lockdowns and that officers often bore a heavy responsibility when out in the community.

“When police put on their uniform, they’re preparing for the unknown,” he said.

“What confronts them during the course of a shift is out of their control but becomes their responsibility. It’s a heavy responsibility to deal with..”

Supt Reid said community safety was the police’s highest priority, and reminded the public that all emergency services personnel deserve to get home safely.

“While the vast majority of the community has the utmost respect for our officers, there is a minority who have a blatant disregard for law enforcement and aren’t afraid to engage in violent confrontations with the potential to inflict significant physical and mental injuries on our members,” he said.

“Police and PSOs undergo significant training throughout their careers which gives them the skills and knowledge to deal with dynamic and challenging situations.”

Barwon inmate assaults prison officer

Barwon Inmate Brendan Abela pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker last month after assaulting a prison officer.

Brendan Abela

Abela, who is serving an 11-year sentence for other offences, became aggressive with the officer after a patdown search and wound up punching the officer in the face and mouth.

The court heard after being restrained and hauled back to his cell, he continued to be aggressive with prison staff.

Magistrate John Bentley extended Abela’s sentence by a month.

“This sort of behaviour in prison just can’t be condoned,” he said at the time.

Drunk man assaulted cops days after release

A drunk Corio man assaulted cops earlier this year just days after being released.

Andrew Roberts pleaded guilty to assaulting officers and causing damage to a vehicle in a drunken rage.

Andrew Roberts appeared handcuffed from the custody room at the Geelong Magistrates Court to face assault charges.

During the hearing custody officers requested Roberts remain in handcuffs due to his “erratic” and “unpredictable” behaviour earlier that morning.

The court heard while being arrested for causing criminal damage to a woman’s vehicle, he kicked out at an officer and skimmed the top of his head.

While in the holding cells, he spat at officers and kicked a cell door.

Man punched cop after work Christmas party

A tradie who punched a police officer after a boozy work Christmas party was sentenced to three months behind bars.

Luke Allan had been enjoying end of year drinks with colleagues when he launched an attack on a police officer in late 2020.

He and two others were crammed inside a two-seater ute when they were intercepted by a pair of officers.

After being asked for his name, Allan told officer’s to f***k off before exiting the vehicle.

The court heard he then approached a senior constable and punched him in the right cheek.

“He was having a very good time and enjoying the company of his co-workers,” Defence lawyer Stephanie Mawby said at the time.

“Unfortunately … he got a bit too excited and had far too many drinks.

“There was no reason for the aggressiveness at all. That behaviour is completely unwarranted in the circumstances.”

Corio man kicked out at police officers

A Corio man who threw a wine bottle at a terrified woman also kicked out at emergency services workers.

Leigh Fausett, 45, narrowly missed a woman when he threw an empty wine bottle at her car in September this year.

When the woman returned home 20 minutes later, she found him trying to gain access to a nearby home.

Leigh Fausett threw a wine bottle at a terrified woman. Picture: Facebook.

He approached her and she fled inside her own home out of fear.

Police were called to the scene after it was reported he’d thrown a garden ornament through a neighbour’s windscreen and another through a kitchen window.

When officers arrived on scene, they found him asleep in the driveway.

While he was cooperative at first, he became verbally aggressive with one officer, attempting to grab a metal object.

When that failed he kicked out at another officer.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie placed Fausett on a community corrections order, telling him the program would give him “clearly a good benefit for community purposes for your rehabilitation … for some serious issues, but not to mention health issues as a consequence of your behaviour”.

Harry Main

Queensclifff man Harry Main left a policeman fearing for his life during a “relentless” pub attack in 2018.

The 25-year-old was last year sentenced to a community corrections order over the assault of a senior constable at the Queenscliff Brewhouse.

The victim was hospitalised with injuries to the head, neck and wrist.

County Court Judge Michael Burke said at the time there were “powerful” factors to prevent Main from facing a term of imprisonment.

The ruling was later slammed by the police association as “weak”.

“I am persuaded to find that your behaviour on the night of the offending was markedly out of character,” Judge Bourke said.

“I do not seek to understate the seriousness of your offending, upon whom it was committed and its impact.”.

Originally published as Police assaults in spotlight after alleged Torquay cop stabbing