About 8.15pm on Monday 15 June, police were tasked to at a Kilburn address for an alleged high risk domestic violence matter where a woman was taken to hospital and the offender was not known at the time.
As police approached the address they saw a man leaving the area of the house on a bicycle.
Police at this time advised the man that they had suspicions concerning him being in possession of illicit drugs. He was asked to place his hands on his head while a search of his person was undertaken.
The man originally was compliant and after a short time he began to refuse. Police attempted to arrest the man who resisted and a struggle ensued.
Police and the man went to the ground as police attempted to restrain and handcuff him.
It was during the process of arrest that the body worn camera worn by one of the officers was grabbed and only parts of the camera have been located.
Police were then confronted by a number of other nearby residents who became agitated.
Police called for urgent assistance.
Defensive spray was deployed and other police arrived.
There is video footage of the incident that has been published on social media.
The video shows a rear view of a police officer appearing to strike the man on the ground.
An internal investigation has commenced and will be conducted in strict accordance with the statutory provisions outlined in the Police Complaints and Discipline Act 2016.
The investigation into this incident has been taken very seriously and a senior police officer has been assigned to undertake this as a matter of priority.
The 28-year-old Kilburn man was initially arrested and charged with hinder police, resist police and property damage.
As part of the initial review, the man has been released from police custody and the incident is the subject of further investigation.
Both the man and one of the police officers received minor injuries.
