Student charged after choking police officer

A 15-year-old student has been charged after he allegedly choked a police officer in an unprovoked attack at a Gold Coast high school.

Police were dealing with a car crash when the alleged incident took place. Picture: AAP

A high school student has been arrested after he allegedly choked a police officer in an unprovoked attack.

It will be alleged a 15-year-old Merrimac State High School student choked the officer after he became abusive to police who were at the school dealing with a car crash.

The student has been charged with obstructing a police officer and one count of serious assault police.

It’s understood a video of the serious assault has been circulating on social media, although it has since been deleted.

In a statement Queensland Police said they charged the student following the incident on June 14.

“Around 10.10am, officers attended the educational facility in regards to a traffic crash,” the statement read.

“It will be alleged that whilst at the school, a boy – who was unrelated to the traffic crash – verbally abused officers.

“When officers attempted to talk with the teen in regards to public nuisance, it will be alleged that the boy walked away, prompting an officer to attempt to restrain the boy by the arm, before the boy allegedly physically assaulted the officer by choking him.”

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The incident is alleged to have taken place at Merrimac State High School. Picture: Supplied

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It’s understood the officer and the student fell to the ground before the teen attempted to choke the police officer.

“A 15-year-old boy has been charged with one count of obstructing a police officer and one count of serious assault police,” the police statement said.

“He will be dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act.”

A spokesman for the Department of Education said they were aware of the incident and the student had been dealt with.

“The Department is aware of a video circulating from 14 June 2019 that features a student from Merrimac State High School involved in a physical altercation with Queensland Police Service Officers,” the spokesman said.

“This was an isolated behaviour incident and Merrimac State High School does not tolerate violence and anti-social behaviour.

“The student in the video has been dealt with in line with the school’s Responsible Behaviour Plan. No further details can be provided due to student privacy issues.

“The Queensland Police Service has also charged the student in relation to the incident. Merrimac State High School continues to work diligently to promote safe and respectful behaviours and a safe learning environment for everyone in the school community.”

The spokesman said Merrimac State High School was taking the incident extremely seriously.

“Merrimac State High School is built upon the values of Respect, Responsibility and Reliability and is committed to providing a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment,” the spokesman said.

“Any situation that threatens the safety and wellbeing of students or others in the school community is treated extremely seriously, and dealt with as a matter of priority.

“Continued media coverage and social media posts regarding these kinds of incidents only serves to glorify the negative behaviours displayed in the videos.

“The media and the broader community have a responsibility to encourage and support positive behaviours in our young people.”

Do you know more about this? Contact journalist Chris McMahon at [e-mail]