Vic cop to be paid $150k over defamation

A senior Victorian police officer present at the death of teenager Tyler Cassidy has been awarded $150,000 in damages after he was defamed online by a barrister.

Tyler, 15, was shot dead when three police officers fired at him as he advanced on Sergeant Colin Dods armed with two knives during a stand-off at a Northcote skate park in December 2008.

A total 10 shots were fired and five struck Tyler, one fatally.

A coroner exonerated the officers, including Sgt Dods, of any personal responsibility in November 2011.

Queensland barrister Michael McDonald later published comments online that were found to be defamatory of Sgt Dods.

The barrister wrote that Tyler was "executed" by Sgt Dods, and said the sergeant gunned down the teenager "like he was a monster and mongrel dog".

McDonald claimed Sgt Dods chose to shoot Tyler when he knew police could have overpowered the teenager without anybody being harmed.

He said Sgt Dods had committed manslaughter.

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bell awarded Sgt Dods $150,000 in damages on Friday.

He said the comments by McDonald, which he continued to publish online for more than six months after the sergeant was cleared by the coroner, caused Sgt Dods intense distress, humiliation and embarrassment.

Sgt Dods, speaking briefly to reporters after the judgment, said he felt vindicated by the judge's ruling.

The judge will rule on the payment of court costs at a later date.