A national authority has thrown its weight behind calls for West Australian police to investigate a viral video of a girl who was restrained by an officer while riding on a Perth train, calling it an example of “unreasonable force”.
The video has circulated widely online and appears to show the aftermath of an alleged incident from Sunday last week, involving a group of teenagers on public transport.
The vision, which appears to be filmed by a friend taking a Joondalup-line train, picks up after the one group of children on the train alleged another group was antagonising them, and an off-duty police officer became involved.
The off-duty officer can be heard claiming the girl had “tried to punch him”, and the footage appeared to show the officer move to restrain the girl against a train seat.
The girl’s head smacked against the window of the carriage, and both her and her friends yell at the officer as she begins to cry.
The officer calls for the train driver to be informed of what was happening, and one bystander can be heard in the vision asking the officer for his badge number, telling him he believed he had used unnecessary force with the girl – who claimed to be a 13-year-old.
The officer gave the bystander his work information and appears to be exasperated at the allegation, and a public transport officer approaches and shakes his hand before the video cuts off.
WA police have since confirmed the girl was charged with assault over the incident.
“The officer, who was travelling with family members at the time of the alleged incident, received minor injuries and did not require medical treatment,” a spokesperson said.
“The 13-year-old female was charged with one count of ‘common assault’ and was issued a juvenile caution.
“Relevant evidentiary material, including Public Transport Authority CCTV, has been obtained and is being reviewed by the WA Police Force as part of standard process.”
National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Sue-Anne Hunter has since condemned the actions seen in the vision.
“The video circulating online over the past 24 hours is deeply disturbing and unsettling to watch,” she said in a statement.
“This is a representation of the violence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people can face every day.
“As a nation, we have work to do to better protect them.”
Hunter said it was important for the relevant authorities to condemn “the use of unreasonable force”.
“This video is an example of the damaging entrenched colonial attitudes towards First Nations peoples, which leads to our children being demonised and dehumanised,” she said.
“The National Commission calls on the Western Australian police to immediately conduct an investigation into this matter. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people have the right to feel safe in their communities.”
WA Police has not confirmed if an internal investigation is ongoing.
