Five cops hospitalised after 'completely disgusting' brawl
Four people are behind bars over a brawl outside a Sydney nightclub that sent five police officers to hospital with injuries ranging from a broken nose and a fractured elbow to a dislocated jaw.
The brawl erupted after a man and woman refused to leave swanky Potts Point nightclub Flamingo Lounge about 11.20pm on Saturday.
Police stepped in to help security guards at the venue, but the pair turned on them and assaulted the officers, police say.
Four other people from their group joined the fight in which punches were thrown and police were flung to the ground, acting Superintendent Paul Callaghan from the Kings Cross Area Command told reporters on Sunday.
The brawl left a male sergeant with a fractured elbow and torn tricep, a male constable with a broken nose and abrasion to the retina of his left eye, another male constable with a dislocated jaw, two male probationary constables with head injuries and a female probationary constable with swelling to her cheek.
The riot squad had to be called in to break up the brawl and six people were arrested.
Paramedics treated several people who were sprayed with pepper spray.
"It's atrocious, completely disgusting. It's not acceptable," Supt Callaghan said.
"Police are not punching bags. Abuse against police will not be tolerated."
Supt Callaghan praised his officers, saying even after they were hurt they continued to try and stop the brawl and protect the community.
"Human nature, you have that fight or flight response. These guys have that fight response. They protect the community," he said.
Supt Callaghan said the injuries would have real consequences for his officers.
Four of those arrested – two males, aged 34 and 25, and two females, aged 24 and 22 – are facing a string of charges, including affray and causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer, and have been refused bail.
"When someone's bail refused that clearly shows the severity of the offence," Supt Callaghan said.
The two men and the 24-year-old woman are due to appear in Central Local Court on Monday.
The 22-year-old woman was due to face Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.
A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were released pending further inquiries.
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