Police hit regularly on duty

TOWNSVILLE police officers are the victims of three assaults each week.

Criminals are punching, kicking, headbutting, spitting at and biting officers.

There were about 550 officers working in Townsville last year and 151 recorded assaults on police in the most recent financial year statistics.

On Wednesday night it is alleged a woman managed to slip her handcuffs and punch a police officer during an arrest.

Police were called to Deeragun in response to a domestic violence incident.

Kirwan Police Station officer- in- charge Senior Sergeant Jason Brosnan said a woman became aggressive when police arrived and was handcuffed.

As police were walking her out of the house, she allegedly managed to free one hand from the handcuffs and lunge, punching one officer in the face.

“She’s gotten out of the handcuffs and one officer has been assaulted,” Sen- Sgt Brosnan said. “He’s also lost some skin trying to hang on to the handcuffs.”

The woman was bleeding at the time of the scuffle and there is concern the officer’s wound may have had contact with the woman’s blood.

It is understood the punch hit the officer’s temple and he had to be taken to hospital. He was later released but will have to undergo disease testing.

Inspector Joe Kitching said police assaults were too common.

“Police officers are regularly assaulted in the Townsville community and it is unacceptable,” he said.

A Deeragun woman, 35, was charged with serious assault on police and obstructing police.

She faced Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday, where despite prosecutors opposing bail, she was released and is next expected to appear in court on March 1.