NSW police officer Ryan Barlow learns fate over teen’s violent arrest

A police officer who used a violent leg sweep in the arrest of an Aboriginal teenager has learnt his fate in court.

A police officer whose violent arrest of an Aboriginal teen in Sydney’s inner city made national headlines has escaped serving jail time.

Ryan Barlow, 30, was found guilty following a multi-day hearing at Downing Centre Court earlier this year of assault occasion actual bodily harm.

Magistrate Rami Attia threw out the constable’s claims he was using reasonable force when he performed a controversial leg sweep manoeuvre.

Ryan Barlow was sentenced in court on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Mr Attia sentenced Barlow at Blacktown Local Court on Friday to a supervised community corrections order for 18 months, with 125 hours of community service.

In sentencing, Mr Attia said that the punishment needed to deter like actions by other police and that the community expected officers to act lawfully.

“The violence was considerable. The performance of the leg sweep was done while he had hold of the victim, with his hands behind his back,” Mr Attia said.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. DECEMBER 13, 2023. Ryan Barlow, right, with lawyer Brent Haverfield leaving Blacktown Local Court . Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Nathan Schmidt

“(The teen) impacted heavily with the ground, evidenced not just by the injuries, but by evidence in the hearing, including digital evidence and body worn footage.”

As a result of the impact, the victim suffered cuts and abrasions to his knee, shoulder, chin, and face, as well as a chipped tooth and bleeding from the mouth.

In a victim impact statement tendered to the court, the teen described continued psychological impacts, including “loss of human dignity” and sadness.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. DECEMBER 15, 2023The mother of a teen assaulted by police officer Ryan Barlow speaks outside of court. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Nathan Schmidt

His mother welcomed the verdict outside of court, telling the media “I’m glad we got to the end of it... I’m proud of our family for going through what we did”.

“And, we’re glad Constable Barlow has been held accountable for his actions. The issue of police brutality is a long-term, systemic problem,” she said.

“The police are public servants... they should protect the community (and) try and make better relationships with young people.

Barlow received an 18-month supervised community corrections order and 125 hours of community service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nathan Schmidt

“We hope the result will send a message to deter other police officers and for the stations to think about their relationship with... Aboriginal people.”

Video of the arrest sparked outrage on social media at a time when the Black Lives Matter movement was taking hold in the US.

Barlow and two probationary police officers were patrolling the area when they spotted a group of teens at Ward Park in Surry Hills about 5pm.

A verbal altercation broke out between police and the group during which the teen told Barlow, “I’ll crack your f***ing jaw, bro.”

Barlow was found guilty after a hearing in May. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nathan Schmidt

During the proceeding arrest, which lasted just six seconds, Barlow deployed a leg sweep manoeuvre to bring the teen to the ground.

The controversial manoeuvre, while not taught to NSW Police, is not strictly prohibited but became central to the prosecution’s case.

The court was told the teen was given just 3.02 seconds to comply with Barlow’s orders before the leg sweep brought him to the ground.

On video, the teen told Barlow and the officers that he “can’t f***ing stand up” while on the ground, and “you didn’t have to hurt me”.

Barlow claimed he felt threatened by the 16-year-old who he alleged had tried to kick him and another officer prior to the teen’s arrest.

Video of the arrest made national deadlines in 2020. Picture: Supplied

In his judgment in May, Mr Attia determined those claims to be “simply not accurate” and they were not corroborated by the video evidence.

Nonetheless, lawyer Brent Haverfield argued on Friday Barlow had been carrying out a “legitimate exercise... gone poorly and with a poor outcome”.

He told the court Barlow, who recently welcomed his third child, should avoid a conviction. Mr Haverfield and police agreed jailtime was off the table.

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Attia said of Barlow’s moral culpability that “police officers are aware of the impacts of violence

“The very training they receive is to remain in control of situations so that they may or may not be escalated.”

While Mr Attia convicted Barlow, the question of his continued employment with the NSW Police Force hung over Friday’s proceedings.

Mr Haverfield told the court Barlow had been working solely from the station until being placed on sick leave after his wife’s C-section last month.

He went on to state that any judgment on future extra-curial punishment was “speculative”.

In a statement, NSW Police said “The officer’s employment status remains under review.

“There is no update to that at this stage”.

Originally published as NSW police officer Ryan Barlow learns fate over teen’s violent arrest