Head-slam victim ‘traumatised’ by cop tackle

A man slammed to the ground by a police officer at Flinders Street Station is suing the force, claiming the incident caused a “severe psychiatric reaction”.

A man slammed to the floor by a policeman at Flinders St railway station has been left with deep trauma, his lawyer says.

Victoria Police will face legal action from the Melbourne man over treatment his lawyer has described as “traumatising”.

Confronting footage of the incident captured on a mobile phone showed the man being slung to the floor by a police officer who approached him from behind.

Kim Bainbridge, the principal of Garden and Green Lawyers, told the Herald Sun his client had existing mental health issues before the incident on September 22 last year.

They had been severely compounded by what happened that day when he was tackled to the tiles, causing him facial injuries and breaking his headphones.

“He’s had a severe psychiatric reaction,” Mr Bainbridge said.

“He’s traumatised beyond belief. We expect that he’ll receive a very substantial settlement.”

The man is suing Victoria Police over the confronting incident at Flinders Street Station in September 2021.

Mr Bainbridge said he believed there was a possibility of punitive or exemplary damages being awarded by a court.

His client was talking to other police, who appeared relaxed, in the moments before the other officer intervened.

No writ has been issued as more medical reports still are to come.

Mr Bainbridge said he did not know where his client would have stood without the phone footage shot by a passer-by at the station.

“We are very grateful to the good Samaritan who had the presence of mind to capture it on film,” he said.

The policeman, a senior constable from the southern region, was suspended within days of the footage emerging.

The 36 year old has since been charged with recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and common law assault after an internal investigation.

The incident happened at a time of widespread protest activity in inner-Melbourne involving large numbers of police.

Mr Bainbridge said he did not believe his client was one of the demonstrators.