Two Victoria police officers charged with assault are expected to appear at the Ringwood magistrates court next month. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAPView image in fullscreenTwo Victoria police officers charged with assault are expected to appear at the Ringwood magistrates court next month. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAPIbac charges police officer accused of repeatedly hitting Indigenous man with Taser during Melbourne arrestVictorian corruption watchdog alleges weapon was used to hit man’s head, with another officer accused of kneeing him in same incident last year
Two Victorian police officers have been charged with assault after allegedly using a Taser and knee to repeatedly strike a man in the head during an arrest last year.
In a statement, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission said it had charged the two officers after an investigation into the force used during an arrest of an Indigenous man in Melbourne’s east last August.
“During the arrest, it is alleged [a] Senior Constable unlawfully struck the man to the head with a taser multiple times,” Ibac said.
“They have been charged with aggravated assault with a weapon.
“In addition, it is alleged the Sergeant unlawfully struck the man to the head with their knee. They have been charged with unlawful assault.”
Both officers are expected to appear before the Ringwood magistrates court on 11 September.
The Ibac investigation, codenamed Operation Ginkgo, was conducted by the focused police complaints team (FPCT).
“IBAC’s FPCT assesses and investigates serious, single-incident allegations of Victoria Police misconduct against people from communities at a higher risk of experiencing police misconduct, including First Nations people,” Ibac said.
“As the matter is now before the court, no further information is available.”
