Police use of force under review after 63yo woman pushed to ground
WA Police are reviewing an officer's use of force after footage appeared to show him pushing a 63-year-old Indigenous woman to the ground.
An older Indigenous woman in Karratha, Western Australia, was pushed to the ground by a police officer, sparking an investigation into whether the use of force was warranted. The incident occurred outside a block of units on Tuesday morning when officers arrived to arrest the woman's 33-year-old nephew. She claimed the family intervened after a heavy-handed arrest of her nephew.
The woman fell to the ground, hitting her head on gravel, while the video also captured instances of pepper spraying and another woman pushing a police officer. Four people were charged following the altercation, including the 63-year-old woman who faces a charge of assaulting a public officer. Police stated they called an ambulance for the woman but she declined assistance.
They emphasized their commitment to using the minimum necessary force and reassessing the situation to de-escalate whenever possible. Any use of force must be justified, proportionate, and necessary, and is subject to mandatory reporting and review.
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