Karen Webb faces media over two cops charged with assaulting 92yo Picton man

Police Commissioner Karen Webb has spoken out about video footage taken at the incident where two officers allegedly used ‘excessive force’ on a 92-year-old man in his home.

The family of a 92-year-old man whose arm was broken during a police arrest says he is “going OK” after the two officers were charged for allegedly using “excessive force” on him.

Ronald Hodge’s son told media “he’s good thanks, all good” following the ordeal at his Picton home.

The pair of NSW Police officers were charged on Wednesday night — almost five months after they were called to intervene in what they allegedly mistook for a domestic violence fight about 8.45pm on January 21.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealed she has watched the body-worn vision of the officers arresting Mr Hodge, something she came under fire for refusing to do when 94-year-old Cooma great-grandmother Clare Nowland was killed last year after allegedly being Tasered by an officer.

“I’ve watched that video within the last hour,” Commissioner Webb said. “While I have my own thoughts and feelings about it, I can’t comment about that because I don’t want to prejudice any court matter.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has watched vision from the night in question. Picture: Damian Shaw

“These matters are now before the court and there will be a subsequent, parallel employment review that will be undertaken and I don’t want to prejudice that.

“What the court will need to determine is whether there was an excessive force used in their interaction. That will be for the court.”

Ronald Hodge on Thursday. Picture: Jane Dempster

The Constable and Senior Constable charged had responded to two triple-0 calls within seven minutes from Mr Hodge’s wife Patricia, claiming a domestic violence incident had taken place.

When police arrived they interacted with Mr Hodge before making the arrest, but Commissioner Webb confirmed the man was never charged with any offence and it was later discovered his wife suffered from dementia.

“It’s obviously a complex matter when you’ve got someone elderly, someone who has mental decline through dementia or through something else that can’t actually articulate any concerns to police properly,” she said.

“That will form part of the investigation and the police response.

“It’s important that I say to the community that they can have confidence that NSW Police will respond to calls for service and when something is questionable, and we have concerns about the conduct of an officer, we will take action.”

Neighbours said Mrs Hodge had suffered dementia for many years, and that Mr Hodge cared for her at home, but it all changed after the night of the triple-0 call in January.

“Ron struggled caring for Pat … it’s been very hard for him … Pat went to a nursing home after that day, and hasn’t been back,” they said.

Mr Hodge’s son arrived from Queensland on Wednesday night, soon after the two officers were charged.

Police visited Mr Hodge on Thursday and informed him the officers would be facing court.

“He’s a beautiful old man … we didn’t know what had happened until the news today, it’s not something he talked about,” the neighbour said.

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