Karen Webb tangled up in fight as rank and file question why officers charged

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb is facing a wave of protests from the rank and file over the decision to charge two officers with assault of an elderly man.

The charging of two policemen for allegedly assaulting an elderly man has led to a wave of protests from rank and file officers, demanding Commissioner Karen Webb make clear how they are meant to deal with vulnerable people.

Senior Constable Dean Valesini and Constable James Thompson will both face court in the coming weeks, after they allegedly assaulted Ronald Hodge while placing the 92-year-old in handcuffs at his home in Picton, south west of Sydney, in January this year.

The officers attended Mr Hodge’s home after his wife made two calls in seven minutes alleging a domestic violence attack, with Triple-0 operators unaware she had dementia.

What has angered their fellow colleagues is the decision to charge Snr Const Valesini and Const Thompson, despite the Operational Safety Tactics and Governance Command failing to find the two acted outside the guidelines of their police training.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal at least six local branches of the Police Association of NSW have now passed motions attacking the decision, with some even calling for Commissioner Webb to dismiss the charges.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb is facing questions from rank and file police. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“This Branch acknowledges these matters are before the Court, however we express extreme disappointment that charges have been preferred, even after expert advice was received from Operational Safety Tactics and Governance Command, confirming these members had acted within NSW Police guidelines and training during this incident,” a motion from one branch read.

“(We) call for urgent clarification from the Commissioner of Police on expectations for our members while dealing with vulnerable persons, who are violent. If this expectation differs in any way to current policy and training The Branch calls for that training to be expedited,” read another.

One branch of the PANSW called on Commissioner Webb to “withdraw all charges relating to the two members”.

While the Operational Safety Tactics and Governance Command did not identify any wrongdoing, an internal legal team suggested the two officers be charged.

The decision to lay charges was then made by an Assistant Commissioner, which has angered cops, who believe the hierarchy should have left the decision to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ron Hodge, 92, who was allegedly assaulted by two police officers. Picture: Jane Dempster

Some fear it was a knee-jerk reaction to criticism the force faced for not releasing full details last year when 95-year-old Clare Nowland died after allegedly being tasered by a police officer at a Cooma nursing home.

“We are damned if we do and damned if we don’t,” said one officer, referring to the charging of Snr Const Valesini and Const Thompson.

“You’ve got two cops going into what they think is a domestic violence situation, they (allegedly) follow their training, and then they are still charged.”

Mr Hodge suffered a fractured elbow and bruising while officers attempted to restrain him, but was not charged and there is no suggestion he engaged in any wrongdoing.

While the incident happened on January 21, it was not until June 13 that the details were made public by Commissioner Webb at a press conference.

“I’ve watched that video... 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,” Commissioner Webb said at the time.

Ron Hodge, 92, who was allegedly assaulted by two police officers. Picture: Jane Dempster.

“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.

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

A spokesman for the NSW Police Force said they stood by the charging of the officers and that a “comprehensive” investigation was carried out beforehand.

“Camden Police Area Command commenced an investigation into a matter involving two police officers on January, 22 2024,” the statement read.

“The comprehensive investigation included reports from Operational Safety Training and Governance Command and the Operational Legal Advice Unit regarding the use of force. Based on this evidence and all other evidence collected, two officers were charged with the assault of a 92-year-old-man.

“As per NSWPF policy, the charges referred by Camden Local Area Police were approved by the relevant Assistant Commissioner (Region Commander). Members of the NSWPF Executive were informed after the charges were approved. The Specialist Prosecutions team at the DPP now has carriage of the prosecution.”

Snr Const Valesini, 34, is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault, and is due to face Campbelltown Local Court on July 30, while Constable Thompson, 36, is facing a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and is set to face the same court on August 6.

Both officers have been suspended with pay.

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