Cops became ‘punching bags’ in drunken Queenscliff Brewhouse brawl
A FEMALE police officer will not return to work for at least a week following a rowdy Queenscliff pub fight which spilt onto the streets, which also caused injuries to five of her male colleagues.
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A FEMALE police officer will not return to work for at least a week following a rowdy Queenscliff pub fight which spilt onto the streets, which also caused injuries to five of her male colleagues.
Police were called to the Queenscliff Brewhouse on Gellibrand St on Saturday night around 10pm to move on two drunk customers who publicans accuse were “wrestling and rough-housing” one another.
When two police officers escorted the men from the pub, they were assaulted by the men who then attempted to evade police on foot however were caught in a neighbouring laneway.
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Pub goers flooded the laneway and attempted to hinder police while they tried to arrest the men.
Further police arrived and deployed pepper spray to quell the rowdy crowd.
Six police officers were injured during the incident — three were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and three were treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Graham said police were punched and an “excessive use of alcohol” was to blame.
“They were struck a number of times,” he said.
“Our members are not to be utilised as punching bags.”
He said an eighth man was outstanding however police were confident of his identity.
Geoff, a Queenscliff business owner, said the brawl was “out of character” for the regional town.
“I’m absolutely disgusted,” he said.
“Cops are out doing their jobs and they get smashed up by a drunken group of yobos.”
A man who turned up to pick up his car from the pub yesterday said the incident was a “misunderstanding.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said those who attack Victoria Police members would face the full extent of the law.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to this,” he said.
“Anyone who think they can abuse, assault or injure any member of Victoria Police should know that there will be very serious consequences.”
Mr Andrews said his government had passed laws making jail mandatory for anyone found guilty of attacking emergency services workers.
Two 21-year-old men have been charged with assault police serious, resist police and recklessly cause injury and have been bailed to appear at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 5 October.
Another three men were arrested and are expected to be charged on summons and one man was charged for being drunk in a public place.
