Three police officers have been seriously assaulted – with one knocked unconscious – after going to a home on NT’s Tiwi Islands to arrest a man for alleged domestic violence offences.
The officers were set upon by “multiple offenders” about 6am (7.30am AEDT), according to NT Police, with the attack involving improvised weapons, biting, and an attempt to remove an officer’s gun from its holster.
“As a result of this disgraceful behaviour, officers sustained injuries that required medical treatment,” a police statement reads.
“One officer was knocked unconscious.”
The alleged attack occurred at a home in the remote community of Milikapiti.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy APM has slammed the assaults as “absolutely disgusting and disgraceful”.
“Assaults on our officers, who are doing their job to keep the community safe, will not and cannot be tolerated,” he said in a statement.
“Additional support is being deployed to the community, and those involved in this violent and unacceptable behaviour will be held accountable”.
Murphy said the officers’ families were concerned about the incident.
“I will be flying to the location this morning with additional resources to visit and support our officers.
“The members are currently safe and being treated for their injuries and I commend them for their measured and professional response to a hostile situation.”
He said it was also important that local leadership addressed issued
“I will be working with the Land Councils, to ensure strong local leadership is part of the solution and these acts of violence aren’t repeated.”
“The number of domestic violence deaths in the Northern Territory is truly shocking,” she said.
“Not only is the violence more relentless in the Territory, it is more vicious. More weapons are used and the injuries inflicted on victims result in high rates of hospitalisation.”
