NT Police investigating the use of force by a male officer in Borroloola

Watch the video: A heated confrontation between a NT Police officer and a crowd is now under investigation over his alleged use of force.

A cop who allegedly shoved and pepper sprayed a man in a remote Territory community is now under investigation.

NT Police has confirmed it was looking into the use of force by a male officer, who was responding to community unrest in Borroloola, in the Roper Gulf Region, on Tuesday January 10.

“The use of force from the officer remains under investigation,” a police spokesman said.

“As a result we are unable to comment further.”

Community members filmed the heated confrontation between the male officer and members of a large crowd following the unrest.

Mobile footage, shared to social media, showed around 100 residents watching the two officers as they addressed the community.

NT Police are investigating the use of force by a male officer, who was responding to community unrest in Borroloola, in the Roper Gulf Region, on January 10, 2023.

It is understood the community were protesting the removal of a man, with people in the crowd shouting “just let him go”.

The male officer told the crowd the police were there because of a reported brawl.

“It’s our job to look after the community, all right. Not listen to your s**t,” he said.

“We don’t give a s**t. We’ve had enough. No more fighting. You’ve been around here for 10 minutes, that’s enough.

“When someone’s jaw is broken or their skull gets crushed, you know who cleans it up? We do.”

The officer then approached a man in the crowd, ordering him to “get that out of my face”.

“Get out of my face. I’m standing here,” the man replies.

“You’re sitting here carrying on, watching people fight,” the officer said.

“When someone’s face gets broken ...”.

Footage of the alleged incident showed the officer shoving the man in the chest.

A woman, believed to be an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, appeared to try and separate the police officer from the crowd.

The male officer again shoved the man, using both hands forcing him back a few steps.

The ALO stepped between them, and appeared to try and shoo the male officer away.

Footage allegedly shows the male officer using pepper spray directly in the face of the man.

NT Police are investigating the incident and will not make further comment.

The male officer was then filmed pacing back and forth, before approaching the crowd repeating “you were in my face”.

“And you know what? If you guys want to fight with each other, go hard,” he said.

“No worries, don’t call us.”

During the confrontation both officers appeared to have pepper spray cans in their hands, but only the male officer used it.

An officer appears to use a pepper spray against a person in the crowd.

According to an internal NT Police order, pepper sprays, or “aerosol subject restraints” can be used in a public order role.

“(But) it is important to understand that inappropriate use may tend to inflame a situation and officers must consider the possible risk of developing crowd hostility,” the 2017 Operational Safety and Use of Force General Order said.

“Any use of an ASR must be a reasonable response in the circumstances and not an unnecessary use of force.

“The amount of force used by an officer must be proportionate to the situation presented.”

The document said the use of force could be justified if they believed there was a “physical threat to the officer, the person, or others, and the officer cannot reasonably protect themselves, or others, less forcefully”.

“Officers are not to use an ASR solely as a method of subject compliance at any time,” it said.

It also said consideration should be given if the “person (was) only providing passive resistance”.

The General Order also specified that officers using pepper spray were responsible for “decontamination, after-care and monitoring of the subject”.

Originally published as NT Police investigating the use of force by a male officer in Borroloola