Assaults on police fall but numbers still shock
POLICE and emergency service officers are being assaulted at a shocking rate, with more than 500 offences recorded in the region over the last five years.
Last week a police officer was seriously injured after they were allegedly stabbed by a resident while responding to a route welfare check in Torquay.
Geelong Acting Superintenant Michael Reid said police put their “lives on the line to protect the community every day”.
Crime Stastistics Agenncy data, for 12 months to June, found 103 police and emergency services workers had been assaulted in Geelong, down 22 per cent on the previous year.
Supt Reid said many assaults happened as a result of broader societal issues like excessive alcohol intake, mental health or being under the influence of drugs.
“While their role has always involved dealing with hostile, confrontational and often dangerous people, it is completely unacceptable for anyone to be hit, kicked, spat on or sworn at while they are doing their job.”
Since 2017, 574 emergency services personnel have been assaulted across the Greater Geelong municipality.
Assaults peaked in 2020 and 2021 during Covid-lockdown years, but appeared to be on the decline.
Five emergency services workers were assaulted on the Surf Coast and 18 in Colac-Otway shire across the year ending in June.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said there had been “increased tension” in communities across the state during and post-Covid lockdowns and that officers often bore a heavy responsibility when out in the community.
“When police put on their uniform, they’re preparing for the unknown,” he said.
“What confronts them during the course of a shift is out of their control but becomes their responsibility. It’s a heavy responsibility to deal with..”
Supt Reid said community safety was the police’s highest priority, and reminded the public that all emergency services personnel deserve to get home safely.
“While the vast majority of the community has the utmost respect for our officers, there is a minority who have a blatant disregard for law enforcement and aren’t afraid to engage in violent confrontations with the potential to inflict significant physical and mental injuries on our members,” he said.
“Police and PSOs undergo significant training throughout their careers which gives them the skills and knowledge to deal with dynamic and challenging situations.”