Police will not bill organisers of rap record label event at Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel
A SENIOR police officer denies today’s public display by Victoria Police of new anti-riot weapons is a PR stunt or response to criticism over handling of the Collingwood riot at the weekend.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
VICTORIA Police is looking at using hi-tech riot and crowd control equipment in response to incidents like the Collingwood brawl.
People brawled in the streets after a fight broke out at the rap record label event at the Gasometer Hotel about 2.45am Sunday.
COLLINGWOOD BRAWL: LEGAL ‘OBSERVERS’ WERE AT EVENT
CAR RUNS DOWN PEDESTRIAN DURING BRAWL IN SMITH ST, COLLINGWOOD
SHAUN CARNEY: GANG PROBLEM WON’T JUST GO AWAY
A car crashed into parked vehicles and hit a Fitzroy man, 18, seriously injuring him.
The weapons, which were unveiled in March this year, are used by the force’s Operations Response Unit and were today put on public display by Victoria Police.
Assistant Commissioner Chris O’Neill said the weapons will be in use from tomorrow.
He denied that Victoria Police was engaging in a PR stunt today to deflect criticism over handling of the Collingwood riot.
“It’s rubbish. Absolute rubbish. If you went back to the plans we have been looking at this for years,” he said.
“We said we would have this rolled out by the end of 2018. The last time I looked it was September so we are going very well.”
Mr O’Neill said it was a coincidence today’s announcement was being made days after the riot.
He said he didn’t know whether the weapons would have been deployed at the Collingwood riot had they been available.
The weapons include semiautomatic pepper ball rifle and specialist vehicles.
The high-powered VKS Pepperball rifle can fire up to 150 rounds before needing to be reloaded and can fire three types of ammunition, including capsicum spray pellets.
“I wasn’t at Collingwood so I wouldn’t want to second guess what the police commander would use,” Mr O’Neill said.
When pressed if the timing of today’s announcement was a coincidence, Mr O’Neill said: “Well I think we are being quite open and coming out to the community about what equipment we have ... without a doubt it is topical.
“We are here to look after the community so it is only fair when we are ready to come out with this equipment that we let the community know this is what we have done, this is what we have put in place and it is just another range of tactics that a police commander has at his or her disposal.”
Officers who use the weapons need to undertake a three-week training course to use the equipment.
A 40mm launcher was also part of the rollout unveiled earlier this year, but the weapons have not yet been used in any criminal incidents.
In March, Victoria Police spokeswoman Amelia Penhall said the rollout of the new equipment was expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Investigators are waiting for DNA test results to come back from the car as they look to charge a teenager they believe was behind the wheel.
A police spokeswoman told the Herald Sun: “Victoria Police will not charge event organisers for the use of police resources.”
Police have previously billed organisers of events at which trouble broke out.
Organisers behind controversial political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos’s event in Kensington last December got a $50,000 bill after protesters clashed outside.
Victorian MP and former police officer Jason Wood told the Herald Sun police were scared of doing their job in some situations over fears they would be accused of racism.
Mr Wood said police were reluctant to focus on African-Australian youths because there was a risk racial-profiling allegations would be made.
“They’re got one hand tied behind their back,” he said.
In 2013, Victoria Police reached an expensive legal settlement with a group of young African men from the Flemington area. Sources say this is continuing to influence police thinking.
One police source said the force was in a no-win situation in policing such gatherings.
An overt presence might generate allegations of harassment; not doing enough created the risk of an inadequate response should trouble flare.
Police have statements from about 40 witnesses to Sunday’s violence, and say they will speak to all 200 people involved.
Spokeswoman Hannah McDonald said: “Police have been working hard since Sunday to progress the investigation by identifying witnesses and attendees as well as further canvassing the wider Collingwood area for CCTV.”
Investigators are working closely with families of those injured in the riot to gather information.
Police are calling on any members of the public who have images or video footage from Sunday night that may help their investigation to upload them online here.
Anyone who witnessed the riot or who has information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report here.
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.