Police officer cleared over punch on handcuffed man Clarence Rahana Sydney Yates at Morphett Vale
A police officer who punched a handcuffed man in the head has been cleared of any wrongdoing, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says.
Law and Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law and Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A police officer who punched a handcuffed man in the head has been cleared of any wrongdoing, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says.
Clarence Rahana Sydney Yates, 22, was charged with three counts of marking graffiti, two counts of assaulting police and one count each of resisting police and disorderly behaviour after being arrested at Morphett Vale in July.
Video footage of the arrest, which was posted online, shows a handcuffed man – alleged to be Yates – appears to spit at a male police officer before being punched with a closed fist to the side of the head.
The officer and two colleagues then wrestle the man to the ground.
Mr Stevens said the incident had been reviewed and that no further action would be taken against the officer.
Video has emerged of a Morphett Vale vandal being punched in the face while handcuffed. The suspect denies claims he spat at officers - saying he was aiming for the ground. Report in 7NEWS at halftime during the @PAFC vs Brisbane game. https://t.co/8ftPfFYTVQ #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/wlpZiU35nN
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) July 14, 2019
“My officers should not tolerate being assaulted and I expect them to take reasonable action to protect themselves so they can go home unharmed to their families,” he said.
“I fully support the professional way they deal with those in the community who think it’s OK to threaten or assault police”.
Yates’ lawyer, Stacey Carter, said it was “extremely disappointing” her client and three witnesses were not interviewed about the incident.
“The footage clearly shows my client being king hit in the face by a SAPOL officer with a clenched fist,” she said.
“My client is a 22-year-old boy, standing surrounded by three officers, while handcuffed. The officers were in a position of power and (the officer’s) king hit punch was not reasonable in the circumstances.”
Ms Carter called the actions of SA Police “unsatisfactory” because they failed to take a statement from “three, independent civilian witnesses who were present at the time”.
“There should not be any double standards for police and the members of our community,” she said.
Yates, of Morphett Vale, is yet to plead to the charges and will face Christies Beach Magistrates Court later this month.