Innisfail cop's jaw broken on duty

Category: Police Assault

Monday, March 22, 2010
A POPULAR Innisfail police officer was knocked unconscious trying to stop a man from assaulting a 17-year-old girl in a residential street.

The 27-year-old constable's jaw was broken after the man and a friend allegedly attacked him and his partner about 3.40am on Saturday.

The girl the officers went to protect also allegedly turned on the police.

The injured officer was taken to Innisfail Hospital after passers-by gave first aid at the scene, on The Corso, near the Ryan St intersection.

Innisfail's top cop, Insp David Tucker, said the force was in shock.

The second officer, a 26-year-old constable, suffered swelling and bruising to the head and ribs in the attack.

The constables were called to reports of a man punching a woman.

"I think the word 'distressed' really sums it up," Insp Tucker said.

"Both of these officers are incredibly compassionate and caring people, and, for something such as this to occur when they were merely trying to stop one person hitting another person is absolutely incredible."

He said the officer taken to hospital was likely to need ongoing treatment and possibly surgery.

"He's obviously still not the best, but he's OK and he's being well supported by family and friends as well as other police colleagues," Insp Tucker said.

People at the scene have been praised for stepping in to help he injured officers.

"Other people have actually come along, seen what is occurring and they have immediately got onto 000 to contact the ambulance, and some people there actually rendered first-aid treatment," Insp Tucker said.

A 17-year-old Innisfail girl has been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and seriously assaulting police and an Innisfail man, 18, has been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm. A 21-year-old Kelso man has been charged with two counts of seriously assaulting police.

They are expected to face Innisfail Magistrate's Court today.