Victorian Government must act on shocking stories of police misconduct

PRESS CONFERENCE

WHO: Darren Lovett, the uncle of police brutality victim Tommy Lovett, will speak on behalf of Tommy's mother Doreen Lovett
Lawyers and advocates – Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Robinson Gill, Human Rights Law Centre, Police Accountability Project (Flemington & Kensington Community Legal Centre)
DATE: Tuesday 22 January, 2019
TIME: 11AM EST
WHERE: Victorian State Parliament Steps, Spring St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
CONTACT: John Kelly – 0407 071 703

Shocking stories of police brutally, misconduct and malicious prosecution revealed over the past 48 hours show the need for immediate action to hold Victoria police to account.

Lawyers and advocates will hold a press conference to demand the Andrews Government take action to reform the police complaint system and implement the IBAC Committee’s recommendations without delay.

In 2018, Victorian Parliament’s IBAC Committee recommended sweeping reform of the police complaint system following its inquiry into the external oversight of police corruption and misconduct in Victoria.

Media stories that continue to emerge reveal deep systemic problems within Victoria police and show that police cannot be trusted to investigate themselves for misconduct. Independent investigations will enhance both police and public safety.

To date media reports have revealed:

• A young Aboriginal man beaten, arrested and wrongfully charged,

• A Geelong man who was brutally assaulted while in police custody,

• A female doctor who was punched in the head and had her leg broken when she tried to help a homeless person who was being targeted by police.

Too often when police investigate police they find their colleagues have done nothing wrong, creating a culture of impunity. Victorians should be able to feel safe in their interactions with police.

Media contact: John Kelly – 0407 071 703