‘We cannot second guess police’: Police Minister defends the force amid IBAC investigations

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville has defended police amid a probe into the behaviour of officers caught on camera in violent incidents.

“We cannot second guess our police,” Ms Neville told reporters as she discussed the two “confronting” videos which emerged yesterday as part of a Fairfax Media investigation.

The first incident caught on CCTV showed six police officers pinning down a mentally disabled man outside his Melbourne home in September last year.

The man was also doused with capsicum spray, then hosed down as the lead officer films the ordeal on his mobile phone.

Police who pinned down pensioner still on the job

In the second distressing video, a robber storms a chemist in Preston; he is repeatedly punched, and stomped on, during a brutal arrest.

Both incidents are now being investigated by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption (IBAC).

Ms Neville confirmed none of the officers involved in the footage have been stood down.

“I have spoken to Assistant Commissioner (Brett Guerin) he has been given approval by IBAC to get the full footage of both cases.

“He will be making comment about that tomorrow.”

She added that the Victorian police force was “absolutely trained” in using proportionate force during arrests.

“There are confronting images you get. Policing is confronting.”

Ms Neville’s comments come as the state government announced new legislation to protect emergency service workers from  violence.

Under the new laws, offenders who ram a police car could face up to 20 years’ jail.

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