A NSW police officer continued to serve after being charged with assaulting an Indigenous man at Goulburn Police Station in January 2019.
Patrick Little, a then-18-year-old Indigenous man, was arrested for affray and taken to Goulburn Police station before being assaulted by police.
Little is seen to get out of the back of the Police car and walks in line with police orders, when the officer grabs him by the neck and slams his head into the wall.
The officer then keeps Little in a headlock and throws him into the side of the police station cell.
The officer has since been found guilty of two counts of common assault, and the officer’s employment status is under review.
In footage obtained by ABC’s 7.30, the officer is also seen to tell Little to shut up after locking him in his cell.
“It’s the elephant in the room that he’s going to be looking for a new career” – Murray’s lawyer
Senior Constable Murray pleaded not guilty to both charges of common assault.
Murray argued that the footage didn’t portray the full picture and that there was ongoing resistance and violence from Little.
Magistrate McGowan cited the seriousness of the offence and the position that Murray was in as a police officer, and handed down a recorded conviction.
Her Honour noted that while Mr Little’s behaviour was irritating, it didn’t warrant the actions taken by Senior Constable Murray.
“I do recognise the difficulties of modern-day policing. But modern-day policing has to step up,” she said.
Lack of police accountability as officer remains on force after conviction
While his employment is under review by the NSW Police, he remains a serving officer on restricted duties.
CEO of Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Karly Warner is outraged by this fact.
“I just think it’s outrageous. What does this say about accountability for police misconduct?” she told the ABC.
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If you suffered police actions such as police brutality, contact O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors on 02 9261 4281 or .
Sarah is a civil solicitor who primarily practices in defamation, intentional torts against police, privacy and harassment.
