Police officer left shaken after latest violent incident against frontline workers

The police union has hit out at a “shocking” incident in which an officer was allegedly reversed into twice after he pulled over a motorist.

Police Sergeant Steve Dine said an officer has been left shaken after being reversed at twice during “a routine traffic stop”. Picture: Zak Simmonds

POLICE have condemned the actions of a driver who rammed into a police motorcyclist, in a case which has sparked anger over a continued series of violent assaults on frontline workers.

The experienced constable, aged in his late 40s, was hospitalised and left shaken after the dangerous act which happened about 12.30pm on Christmas Day at Glendevie, in the Huon.

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The policeman had pulled over the vehicle for a traffic offence, as part of road safety blitz Operation Crossroads, when he was reversed into and knocked off his bike.

The motorist then drove forward and reversed again in an attempt to strike the officer a second time, police say.

The policeman was taken to hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

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It has angered the police union, with Police Association of Tasmania president Colin Riley saying it was only luck that spared the officer more serious injuries, or even death.

It comes after a string of recent incidents in which police have been attacked while on duty.

In October, two male officers were allegedly bitten and a female policewoman kicked in the head during the arrest of a man at Gagebrook.

In a separate case, a man was jailed after punching one policeman in the head and another in the face in Devonport in August.

Mr Riley said a police officer was struck on the Bowen Bridge last month while trying to lay road spikes.

Mr Riley said assaults on police not only impacted the affected member, but the entire force.

He said the effects were not only physical, but also took a mental toll.

“They could be assaulted, they could be hit with a vehicle and when it happens to one of their colleagues, they think ‘that could have been me today’,” he said.

“A police officer in their career will be assaulted numerous times, and it’s a cumulative effect on them and their wellbeing.”

Tasmania Police Sergeant Steve Dine said the officer was “quite shaken” by the incident, and was fortunate to have sustained only soreness and bruising.

Sgt Dine said the officer was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital but was discharged later in the day — and is now taking time off work as he recuperates.

“It was just a routine traffic stop ... he had simply pulled over a motorist for an offence and he ended up being hit twice by a car reversing at him,” Sgt Dine said.

“It’s certainly not something you would expect on Christmas Day.

“Luck was certainly on the side of the officer involved – that could have quite easily turned into a fatality.”

The officer was wearing a body-worn camera, but no footage was captured because it was not activated.

Sgt Dine said the incident was “shocking” and vowed to continue to “pursue the offenders and bring them to account”.

Police are looking for a blue or dark green small sedan that was driving along the Huon Highway at Glendevie, with the male driver believed to be aged between 25 and 30, with blond hair.

The front seat passenger was a woman believed to be of a similar age with long blonde hair.

Sgt Dine said police had received some public information about the incident, but the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.