Far North police in peril

More beat cops have top brass concerned for safety

A SENIOR police officer has said she is “highly concerned” about the increase in attacks on police after three officers were injured since Friday.

Cairns Metro Patrol Group Inspector Monique Ralph condemned the incidents on the officers which occurred in Edmonton and Yarrabah.

She said two men and one woman had been charged with assaulting three police officers in two separate incidents Inspector Ralph said on Friday November 25, a male police officer was punched to the throat by a 51-year-old Kanimbla man while responding to a call for services at an Edmonton residence around 8pm.

“On Saturday evening, where a male officer was assaulted at Edmonton, he received a punch to the throat area, which was obviously highly concerning given the nature of that injury,” she said.

“The officer was able to continue working until he needed treatment at Cairns Hospital.

“At the moment, he’s got some injuries to his throat, swelling and (has) difficulty breathing.”

Inspector Ralph said the alleged offender is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on December 13.

Inspector Ralph said on Saturday, November 26, a male and female police officer from Gordonvale Police Station sustained injuries following an alleged assault at a Yarrabah residence.

Police allege John Rodney Leoyd Gray, 41, wrestled the female officer to the ground, attempting to punch her several times.

“The male person who was involved was threatening the police, as a result, there was a taser deployment, and a struggle ensued where our female officer was rather badly assaulted and sustained back injuries,” Inspector Ralph said.

“The male officer sustained a wrist injury when he was allegedly struck by the offender (before) officers managed to take the man into custody.

“Both officers were treated at Cairns Hospital and weren’t able to continue this shift.”

Mr Gray appeared before Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday and on charges including two counts of seriously assaulting a police officer.

He was refused bail and will next appear in court on November 30.

Inspector Ralph said police are concerned about an increase in officer assaults.

“Anytime police are assaulted we are obviously highly concerned”, she said.

“Obviously these charges are of a very serious nature and rightly so.”

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.