Outrage at abuse on cops

SENIOR police have slammed the “disgusting” alleged behaviour of a boy charged with biting and spitting on two Cairns police officers who are now undergoing disease testing.

The male constables were called to the Smithfield Shopping Centre on Wednesday afternoon following reports of shoplifting.

It is alleged they tried to speak to the 14-year-old before he became hostile and aggressive, walking away from them.

He allegedly turned violent after they told him he was under arrest and tried to take him into custody. He bit the hand of one of the officers and broke the skin.

Police alleged that after being restrained and put in the police car, he spat in the face of the other officer.

The teenager is now facing two counts of serious assault police.

The incident continues the Far North’s horror record of assaults on police with recently released annual police figures showing the region is among the worst in the state.

Far North police Chief Supt Brett Schafferius said disease testing was “confronting” for officers, affecting both them and their families as they awaited results.

“This is just another situation where on the face of it this was just a run-of-the-mill job which escalated to the point that two officers going about their jobs have allegedly been assaulted,” he said.

“Sadly we continue to see a great frequency of disgusting attacks on police.”

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