Victoria Police chief Shane Patton has defended the actions of a protective services officer after footage emerged of her slapping an 11-year-old boy who spat at her at a Melbourne train station.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton has defended the actions of a protective services officer after footage emerged of her slapping an 11-year-old boy who spat at a Melbourne train station, but calls for an independent investigation have emerged.
But lawyer Jeremy King – who specialises in police misconduct matters – said he thought it looked like an act of retribution and an independent investigation was now needed. “There’s no doubt he’s been struck, it’s redirected his face as you will see away from it, stopped any further threat,” he said.The officers involved put in a use of force form, and were aware the incident was filmed on a mobile phone and on CCTV, Patton said.
King, principal lawyer at Robinson Gill Lawyers, said racism and spitting was deplorable and should be called out. But he said his view of the incident suggested the strike was delivered by the PSO as retribution, which was not acceptable. “If the age of criminal responsibility did go up, and an 11-year-old couldn’t be charged with an offence, well, then what happens to them?” Patton said.
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