Victorian police commissioner Shane Patton described a “shameful” and “disgraceful” incident last night in a bayside suburb of Melbourne, after a woman had been confronted for not wearing a mask outside.
He described the problems that officers are facing as individuals across Victoria who fail to follow the COVID-19 stage four lockout rules of the chief health officer.
“In particularly one incident … to highlight the type of challenges that we’re experiencing … last night a 26-year-old policewoman was on patrol with another partner down in a Frankston area near the Bayside shopping centre,” he told reporters.
“During that time, they approached a 38-year-old woman, who wasn’t wearing a mask. After a confrontation and being assaulted by that woman, those police officers went to ground and there was a scuffle.
“And during that scuffle, this 38-year-old woman smashed the head of the policewoman several times into a concrete area on the ground. That behaviour is just totally unacceptable.
“That’s someone who thinks they’re above the law. They’re not wearing a mask. They’re approached and asked the reason why not and then to react like that is just completely over the top. It’s this type of irresponsible behaviour that we’re going to address.”
POLICE MINISTER: "We will have extra police out there. They have those extra powers. Victoria Police also will be able to ultimately detain people if people continue to breach (CHO's orders)." @newscomauHQ
— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) August 4, 2020
Mr Patton said the woman was charged with “significant offences”.
“She was granted bail because she did not have a criminal history,” he said.
“It shows how things can escalate from non-adherence.
“The message is clear from me and it’s simple. We want you to stay at home. We want you to stay at home.”
Today the Premier cracked down on those who refuse to abide by the rules.
He declared a $4657 on-the-spot fine for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 who are not self-isolating when Australian Defense Force members knock “randomly” at doors.
The fine could reach $20,000 if it is taken before the courts and found to be legitimate.
“You’ll understand why I’m not going to give people the program of doorknocking but there will be multiple doorknocks and they will be random in nature,” Mr Andrews said.
“Those doorknocks. You’re expected to be found at home.”