Officers suspended after alleged assault of watch house prisoner
Two police officers have been stood down on full pay amid serious allegations relating to the treatment of a prisoner at the Mareeba watch house.
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Two police officers have been stood down on full pay amid serious allegations relating to the treatment of a prisoner at the Mareeba watch house.
The charges relate to an incident involving a 23-year-old man who was a prisoner at the Mareeba watch house in January 2024.
The man was being held in custody on assault offences.
It’s understood the unarmed man in the watch-house was tasered during the incident however the police service has refused to confirm those details.
A 51-year-old male senior constable has been charged with one count each of deprivation of liberty and assault occasioning bodily harm.
A second man, also a senior constable, 43, has been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.
Both officers have been suspended from the QPS pending the outcome of a court case expected to kick off in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on October 2.
Both officers are expected to appear.
According to the Queensland criminal code deprivation of liberty charges can be brought against a person who police allege unlawfully confines or detains another in any place against the other person’s will, or otherwise unlawfully deprives another of the other person’s personal liberty.
A person can be restrained by threats, physical force and physical restraints are not required.
The charge can also be brought if a person is prevented from moving around freely.
The offence can be punished by up to three years jail if proven.
In a statement the QPS made clear the organisation does not tolerate unlawful conduct by any members and takes the allegations “very seriously”.
QPS stated the release of information on Thursday was in keeping with a commitment to high standards of behaviour, transparency and accountability.
“We have undertaken to inform the public when a member of the service faces serious allegations of misconduct,” a statement read.
“As the matter is now before the courts, we are unable to comment further.”
However, this does not mean that the allegations against the officers have been substantiated, QPS stated.
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