Vandals strike again with anti-police graffiti after Police Memorial targeted
Left-wing activists have shared an anonymous video claiming credit for hateful graffiti plastered all over Victoria’s police memorial.
Left-wing activists have shared an anonymous video claiming credit for graffiti at Victoria’s police memorial.
The video, posted on an Instagram account regularly used to skirt post-and-boast laws, showed the hooded “actionists” spray-painting slogans including “good cop = dead cop”.
“Autonomous actionists have targeted the “Victoria” police memorial in so-called ‘Melbourne’,” the post read.
“The memorial was graffitied with the slogans ‘good cop = dead cop’, ‘shame’, ‘death to Australia’, and ‘13/12 ACAB’. Red paint was poured on the “Victoria” police emblem.”
A van parked on the building’s premises was also sprayed with the word “pig”.
The building’s owner, who has asked not to be named, sits on the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, a charity organisation that helps people remember the lives of police officers that have been killed in the line of duty.
“It’s helping the memories of police officers for their families and the rest of the police force.”
The attacks are said to have occurred about 4.01am on Saturday morning.
It comes after police officials condemned the vandals responsible for desecrating the Victoria Police Memorial in Kings Domain on Friday morning, labelling their actions as “insignificant.”
The memorial was sprayed with offensive graffiti, including the phrase “good cop = dead cop.”
According to police, an unknown individual or individuals poured red paint over the police emblem at the centre of the memorial before spray-painting the derogatory phrase, along with the word “shame.”
Further phrases, including “ACAB”, a known slur for “All Cops Are Bastards”, “death to Australia,” and “13/12” (tomorrow’s date), were also spray-painted on the sacred site.
The attack comes almost 12 months to the day of a previous act of vandalism at the memorial and just months after the tragic murders of Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson.
Speaking to media from the memorial on Friday, Police Association Victoria CEO Wayne Gatt did not mince words regarding those responsible.
“The people that do this sort of thing are nobodies that are going nowhere. Their lives are punctuated by insignificant acts like this,” he said.
“I mean it’s childlike, isn’t it? I mean, really. Is that the best these people have?
“Let’s be honest. There are some people that go through their life being angry. We’re all a bit tired. Tired of your anger, tired of your emotion.”
Mr Gatt also drew parallels to other recent acts of desecration throughout the state.
“Can I say members of our Jewish community have felt attacks like this on places of worship,” he said.
“Public institutions and monuments have been defaced in recent times.
“It’s a sad reflection on the sort of people that do that. It speaks poorly to their intellect, to where they sit and see themselves in our society.”
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush also condemned the vandalism in a message to his force, expressing his disgust at the attack, particularly given its proximity to the recent deaths.
“The attack on such a solemn site for our members and the community is an insult to every police officer who wears the uniform, and every member of the community who supports us,” he said. “It is particularly outrageous given the loss of two of our own at Porepunkah in August.”
Mr Bush acknowledged the frustration and anger within the force.
“I share those sentiments. Rest assured, we will leave no stone unturned to find the perpetrators and hold them to account for their disgraceful actions,” he said.
“Each and every day, our members and VPS employees come to work to do their very best for the Victorian community, and you all deserve to be respected for your efforts.
“Clearly, the outpouring of support for Victoria Police after the Porepunkah tragedy is a true reflection of the community’s attitude towards our people, and I encourage you all to remember that.”
Acting Northwest Metro Commander Belinda Jones echoed these sentiments, calling the vandalism an insult to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“To think that someone would do this at a time when we’ve recently lost two of our own is disgusting and beyond belief,” Commander Jones said.
“It’s an insult to every Victoria Police Officer who wears their uniform and to the community they serve. But rest assured that this incident won’t stop our members turning up and doing their job every day and keeping our community safe.”
Ms Jones added that authorities would explore making cameras a permanent fixture at the memorial.
“We’re certainly exploring that (placing cameras) with our partners and with councils,” she confirmed.
The sentiment was supported by The Retired Police Association.
“It is indicative of the disrespect for police and policing in our society today,” a spokesperson said. “It would be ideal if CCTV cameras could be installed to monitor the memorial.”
The City of Melbourne swiftly responded to the incident, with its “Clean Team” working frantically to restore the memorial by 8am on Friday.
Acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell labelled the perpetrators “muppets.”
“In a year when police officers have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, this despicable act is absolutely abhorrent,” she said. “Those who serve to keep Victoria safe deserve our respect, not hate.
“The City of Melbourne’s clean team moved swiftly to remove this vile graffiti. The vandalism by these muppets has absolutely no place in Melbourne.”
Victoria Police said they condemned the “offensive and distressing” incident of criminal damage to a building at South Melbourne and were investigating if it was linked to the incident at the Police Memorial on St Kilda Rd on Friday.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Originally published as Vandals strike again with anti-police graffiti after Police Memorial targeted
