VicPd are recommending several charges against separate people after three violent incidents in the last two weeks where officers were injured.
Just before 1:00 am on January 18th, officers stopped a man following a disturbance at the corner of Douglas and Yates. When the man obstructed officers they attempted to arrest him, and he became violent and a struggle ensued. Officers were able to call for assistance and the man was eventually placed into custody. When officers were searching the man, they found a knife and it was determined that he had been attempting to retrieve it from his waistband during the struggle.. but failed because the handle broke. During the arrest, both officers suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The man was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Due to the man's injuries, the IIO was notified.
Officers are recommending a number of charges including 3 Counts of Assaulting a Police Officer; 2 Counts of Carrying a Concealed Weapon; 1 Count of Possession of a Weapon for A Dangerous Purpose;1 Count of Resisting or Obstructing Peace Officer; and 1 Count of Failure to Comply with Conditions.
Then on January 24th, officers were called to the 700-block of Johnson Street for a report of a man refusing to leave. When they arrived the man refused to cooperate, and struggled with the officer.
The officer used pepper spray and with the help of additional officers, the man was taken into custody. The officer was treated at the scene for non-life threatening injuries. Charges of Assaulting a Police Officer and Failure to Comply with Recognizance order are being recommended in that one.
And then on January 28th, officers were called to deal with a man who was refusing to leave a business in the 1700-block of Hillside Avenue. In the process of the dealing with the man, he spat on the officers, leaving one with non-life threatening injuries. That officer was treated at hospital and the investigation is ongoing.