Northern Territory Police have charged multiple offenders with assaulting police over the weekend across the Territory.
Around 7:20am on Saturday, police responded to a domestic incident on Espie Street, Alice Springs, where 42-year-old woman became aggressive towards police and allegedly punched a female officer in the face after being waved down to check on the welfare of a child needing care. The woman has since been charged with assault police and is due to appear in Alice Springs Local Court today.
Later that day, police attended a disturbance on Edmunds Street, Darwin City. Two males allegedly approached a police vehicle and began damaging it before assaulting a female officer.
OC spray was deployed and both offenders fled the scene before being arrested a short time later on Smith Street. Both have since been charged with assault police with one appearing in Darwin Local Court today while the other was bailed to appear on 15 November 2023.
Around 1am yesterday, Maningrida Police were conducting patrols within the community when an intoxicated male was observed causing a disturbance.
While placing the male under arrest, he has allegedly become violent, kicking a police vehicle door into an officer, causing bruising to her face.
The offender was arrested for multiple offences including disorderly behaviour, resist police, assault police and consume liquor in a general restricted area.
All officers received bruising, however courageously continued with their duties and did not require further medical treatment for their injuries.
Commissioner Michael Murphy said “While responding to three community calls for assistance, police have suffered from three unprovoked and cowardly attacks.
“Assaults on our communities police officers, who are going about their work protecting people, are absolutely disgraceful.
“Our police officers, like all front line responders, come to work to do their job. They are committed to keeping the community safe. They deserve to be treated with respect and not be assaulted while they do their job. They deserve to be safe and return home at the end of their shift unharmed.
“The behaviour we saw over the weekend will not be tolerated and anyone who decides to assault one of our officers will be arrested, will be charged, and will face court to answer for their conduct.
“Police resources will be bolstered in Alice Springs across the summer period. Police numbers will also be increased across entertainment precincts in Darwin.
“Our officers will continue to respond 24 hours a day 7 days a week in service of the safety of the community.”
