Central Coast mum fined after blowing up over police mask request

A mother who fired up at police over the state’s mask mandate, claiming to have an exemption, has been slapped with a fine.

A NSW mother, who filmed herself arguing with a police officer on the state’s central coast over mandatory masks, has been issued an infringement notice.

Deejai Barker, 26, filmed the encounter outside a shopping complex in Bateau Bay on the state’s Central Coast before posting it on social media.

She can be heard arguing with the police officer for following her out of a shopping centre after he allegedly approached her because she was not wearing a mask.

In a statement on Tuesday morning a NSW Police spokeswoman said the woman “became argumentative” and refused to provide her details to police.

As a result of not providing these details she was fined $500 for failing to comply with Part 8 of the Public Health Act.

She was not fined for failing to wear a mask.

As part of the state government’s mask mandate, residents must wear a mask in indoor settings such as shopping centres and on public transport unless they have an exemption for medical reasons.

Ms Barker claimed to have an exemption.

According to the NSW Government website, a person does not need to carry documents proving they are exempt from wearing a face mask under the public health order.

Deejai Barker fined after encounter with police over mask mandate.

“Regulatory officers are focused on compliance rather than enforcement,” the website states.

“If you are stopped by a regulatory officer in a setting where masks are mandatory, they will ask you to confirm the lawful reason you are not wearing a face mask.

“Officers will only issue penalty notices if you clearly refuse to wear a mask without a lawful reason.”

Individuals with conditions preventing them from wearing a mask are asked to get a letter from a health practitioner or disability care provider confirming this, but it’s not a legal requirement.

In the video, Ms Barker can be heard explaining that she walked out of a shop and was approached by officers who asked if she had an exemption.

“You said, ‘Oh OK that’s fine’, and I walked off because I know my rights. And so what did you do? You followed me out of the shop.”

One of the officers said he was going to arrest Ms Barker before demanding he search her bag.

The police officer apologised for threatening to arrest the woman.

She refused, and allegedly would not hand over identification, before the policeman said not complying with the order was an offence on its own. The officer then walked off to make a phone call before returning just minutes later to apologise.

“I apologise. I’m providing you with my details, you can go to any local police station and make a complaint in writing,” he said after speaking with his senior sergeant.

“You’re more than welcome and encouraged to go and make a complaint.”

Originally published as Central Coast mum fined after blowing up over police mask request