Police officer Paul Medulla sentenced for assaulting teen

The guardian of an Aboriginal teen assaulted by a NSW Police officer has spoken out as a magistrate said he must send a powerful message to police about their use of force.

Highway Patrol senior constable Paul Medulla at Parramatta Local Court on November 27.

A Highway Patrol officer who assaulted a vulnerable Aboriginal teen as he was arrested over an alleged pursuit has been convicted as a magistrate said he had to send a message to other police about their use of force.

Constable Paul Medulla was found guilty of common assault after bodyworn video captured him tapping the teen on the back of his head with his foot as he lay handcuffed on the ground.

The child had been arrested in Seven Hills on August 14 last year after police allege he was involved in a police pursuit in a stolen car while he was affected by drugs.

The harrowing footage showed the child screaming in distress and repeatedly saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” after Medulla accuses him of trying to bite him.

The teen’s guardian spoke briefly after Medulla was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order, saying she hopes the teen now experiences closure over his experience.

Medulla at court.

“I hope it gives him a bit of power back about what happened on that night, knowing that he was heard and believed,” the woman said.

“It’s a relief to know other people acknowledge how wrong that was – the trauma around that, watching (the teen) go through that trauma and having to sit in that was very painful.”

There was no dispute the arrest had been difficult and multiple resources including PolAir and officers from a number of commands were involved in apprehending the teen.

“I hope it’s going to help other police officers be a little bit more mindful about how they interact with young people,” the woman said.

“I understand it’s not an easy job for police officers but again, that was not okay, what happened to him – it was just really unreasonable.”

Medulla was further found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm in relation to the teen, and not guilty of common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm in relation to allegations he kicked a drunk driver in the face during an arrest in Bankstown in July 2022.

A generic image of a NSW Police Highway Patrol vehicle. Picture: NCA NewsWire Christian Gilles

After a hearing at Parramatta Local Court, Magistrate David Price said he felt the court had no option but to record a conviction against Medulla for his conduct.

“It’s important the court send a clear and consistent message that from time to time, police officers will find themselves in difficult circumstances, engage with people committing serious criminal acts and be placed in highly stressful situations,” Mr Price said.

“It’s important to maintain control, and at all times to only use the force that is required, appropriate and absolutely necessary, particularly when it comes to applying any form of force or pressure on someone’s head when they are laying on the ground.

“The ultimate results can be catastrophic.”

The court had previously heard Medulla had an otherwise spotless service record and had received multiple commendations – including from former Premier Gladys Berejiklian – for his contribution to the Black Summer bushfire efforts in 2019 and 2020.

Medulla is launching an all-grounds appeal against his conviction and sentence in the NSW District Court.

He has been suspended by NSW Police on base pay since he was charged.

Solicitor Paul McGirr also failed in his bid for costs on the three charges for which Medulla was found not guilty, after claiming police had brought fatally flawed cases to court and had not adequately investigated evidence which may have prevented the cases proceeding.

Mr Price said he was satisfied the prosecution had conducted their duties appropriately and denied the applications.