Nambour man charged after violent arrest in Ocean Street, Maroochydore

An arrest in the heart of the Sunshine Coast’s nightlife precinct is being reviewed after a police officer was allegedly caught on video punching a restrained man in the head.

Footage of a police officer allegedly punching a 23-year-old Nambour man after he was removed from an Ocean Street nightclub has surfaced online.

In the video, posted online to Instagram, a young man is seen restrained on the ground by several police officers before one of the officers appears to punch the man several times in the head.

It is alleged the man lashed out at police prior to the video being taken.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said a review into the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident were underway, including why the man was taken into custody, the events leading up to the arrest and the level of force used during the incident.

Body-worn camera footage will also be reviewed.

“Police are lawfully permitted to use reasonable force in making an arrest and without context leading to police having to use that force including closed hand tactics, visual representations can be confronting,” the spokeswoman said.

A review into an allegedly violent arrest in the heart of Maroochydore’s nightlife precinct is underway after a police officer was allegedly caught on camera punching a restrained man in the head.

“The Sunshine Coast District is however undertaking inquiries to determine the appropriateness of the circumstances in this instance.”

The young man arrested in the video has since been charged with one count each of fail to leave licenced premises, commit public nuisance, obstruct police officer and assault police officer after he was forcibly removed from Solbar, on Ocean St, on Saturday, November 11.

Solbar co-owner Alex Johns said police working on Ocean St did a great job of keeping the night-life precinct safe, and that the video of the arrest may have been taken out of context.

The police spokeswoman said police had not received a complaint over the alleged incident.

“If anyone has a complaint regarding an interaction with police, they are encouraged to contact Policelink, Ethical Standards Command or Crime and Corruption Commission,” she said.

The Nambour man is expected to face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 1.