An Indigenous woman from the state’s north has accused a West Australian police officer of pushing her during an arrest, disputing claims she “fell over” while trying to confront officers about their actions.
Beverly Hubert told this masthead police had arrived at a home at Pegs Creek in Karratha on Tuesday to arrest her nephew about 8.30am.
She said when he was arrested, the family protested because they saw his nose had begun to bleed and he was in pain.
When she attempted to confront officers, Hubert said one officer pushed her.
“He bent both his elbows back and shoved me,” she said.
Mobile phone footage captured the incident, and Hubert said she fell backwards due to the force.
In a statement, police said they called St John Ambulance “after a 63-year-old woman who [sic] fell over”.
“She declined their assistance. She has been summonsed to appear in court at a later date on the offence of ‘assault public officers’,” the spokesperson said.
Hubert disputed the characterisation of a “fall” and said the footage was clear – she had been pushed.
“It makes people want to call the police less when they actually need to,” she said.
Hubert said she had no knowledge of the summons.
Two other women present at the address have also been charged with obstructing public officers and assaulting a public officer. One was taken to Karratha Health Campus for chest pains before she was assessed and released.
While WA police did not confirm if an internal investigation was under way, locals said it was their understanding some sort of review would take place over the second incident.
“The West Australian Police Force utilises a range of less lethal tactical options to support officers in resolving incidents safely while minimising harm,” the police spokesperson said.
“Police are trained to apply the minimum force necessary and to continually reassess and de-escalate where possible.
“Any use of force must be justified, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances, and is subject to mandatory reporting and review.”
Hubert’s nephew has been charged with criminal damage, unlawful damage, reckless driving and disorderly behaviour in a lockup.
It comes just weeks after another Karratha family said they had a distressing incident with police, also filmed and posted online.
It is understood police came to an address in August to arrest a man, and one officer restrained him outside the property while others searched.
The footage shows family confronting police and the man beginning to struggle. The officer restraining him can then be seen making a sharp motion with his hand – appearing to hit him across the head.
The family yelled at the officer to stop and the pair wrestled to the ground.
WA police have been contacted for comment over the separate incident.
Local advocate Michael Rickard spoke to Ngaarda Media after the incident with Hubert, and said the ongoing interactions with police in Karratha had become increasingly negative.
“What these cops did to Aunty Beverly is wrong,” Rickards said.
“They are meant to de-escalate the situation and mediate an outcome.”
It comes just days after WA police said it would be doubling the number of community liaison officers employed across the state to maintain relationships with Aboriginal communities.
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