NSW police officer to be sacked after allegedly assaulting indigenous youth

A police officer allegedly filmed kicking an Indigenous teenager in the head while he was handcuffed and sitting on the ground is set to be sacked by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

A NSW police officer has been sacked after allegedly kicking an Indigenous teenager in the head while he was handcuffed. Picture: Gaye Gerard

A NSW police officer is about to be sacked after he was allegedly filmed kicking a teenager in the head while he was handcuffed and sitting on the ground.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb took the unusual step of applying for a 181D notice, which gives her the power to dismiss an officer who she no longer has confidence in.

The officer was charged with assault last week and suspended without pay.

Commissioner Webb took the decision to have the officer dismissed after she viewed police footage of the incident where the 16-year-old indigenous youth was arrested as part of an operation into a car stealing ring involving juveniles from the inner city.

The charged officer has the right to appeal his dismissal notice.

NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb has taken the rare step of dismissing the officer. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The 41-year-old senior constable attached to the Central Metropolitan Region was part of Regional Enforcement Squad (RES) in charge of the operation when the alleged assault occurred.

The Telegraph understands the youth is well known to police as a prolific car thief and was arrested at Prospect on the night of September 13, then handcuffed by another officer and was sitting on the ground resting against a police car when the accused officer walked up to him and kicked him.

The charged officer has the right to appeal his dismissal.

Detectives from Central Metropolitan Command began an investigation immediately into the allegations of the assault and charges were laid on October 10 with the officer suspended without pay and ordered to appear at Downing Centre next month.

After being shown the police footage herself, Police Commissioner Karen Webb began the process of having the officer sacked.

A 181D notice allows the Commissioner to remove any officer if they do not have confidence in his/her suitability to continue as a police officer, having regard to their competence, integrity, performance or conduct.

“The ALS is supporting this young person and their family. Rebecca Dunlop has now been instructed in civil proceedings. Given the ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further at this time,” a spokesman for the Aboriginal Legal Service said yesterday.