Police investigate shocking cop 'kick' in cell
Police have launched an internal probe over security video that shows an apparent attack on a female prisoner in a station cell.
The closed circuit TV footage was captured at the Dandenong police station in Melbourne's south-east about 18 months ago when the woman was arrested for being drunk.
The footage shows her attempting to walk out of the cell.
Then in attempt to force her back, the sergeant sprays her with capsicum before putting his boot into her backside twice as she walks away.
Police have conceded the woman was left unattended in her cell for sixteen minutes after being sprayed, and acknowledge that response time is poor.
Meanwhile, an officer sprays the door of the cell to prevent the capsicum spray from affecting them.
The footage has sparked outrage but Acting Assistant Commissioner Derek Lamb has defended the officer's actions.
"There was no kick involved, it's a push with a foot, it's consistent with their training," he told reporters today.
Mr Lamb says the officer followed police procedure.
"What we're seeing is a response to a woman who was drunk, was in custody, misbehaving in the cells, about to attempt self-harm, it was an appropriate response to the situation," he said.
The woman, who is mentally challenged, has told the Herald Sun she felt humiliated by the incident, and planned to take the matter to the Office of Police Integrity.
Solicitor Sam Norton said his client's treatment had been 'inexcusable'.
"The actions of the officers were completely unjustified," Mr Norton told the Herald Sun.
"In the immediate time after he sprays her he is hosing the outside of the door so they won't be affected.
"Meanwhile, she is screaming out in pain.
"I believe they then charge her because they realised they have overstepped the mark."
President of Liberty Victoria, Professor Spencer Zifcak, insists the woman deserves an apology from police.
"Her treatment was inappropriate and disproportionate. Undue force was used, and it shouldn't have happened."
It is not the first time police from Dandenong have been questioned over treatment of prisoners.
In May last year, a Chinese national died in these same cells.
"It shows that police training in the handling of troublesome prisoners needs to be stepped up," Professor Zifcak concluded.
