A VIDEO showing a Queensland police officer repeatedly shoving a woman in her throat has sparked outrage and accusations of police brutality, racism and violence against women.
The 55-second video, which has been viewed more than 350,000 times, appears to show Natasha King being pushed back repeatedly by police as her 16-year-old son is arrested in Boondall, in Brisbane’s north, on Saturday night.
The mother yells out “that’s my son†but is forcibly pushed backwards as her son is handcuffed.
The footage was shared on Facebook yesterday by NITV journalist Danny TeeJay Johnson, who said police entered the house on an anonymous tip-off about a domestic violence incident. However, it was the wrong address, with Johnson saying the family inside the home was “just having a sing and a dance like most Australians do on a Saturday night†when police arrived.
An outraged Johnson said the incident was “how deaths in custody startâ€.
“We need to have a national discussion on how police engage with our mob,†he said.
“Is this an example of #violenceagainstwomen? You tell me?â€
Footage of the unsettling video has sparked outrage on Facebook.
“No different (sic) between Aussie cops with American cops how they treat black people,†Fred McGrady wrote.
“I’m not an expert on the rights we have with police but that really can’t be OK,†Jessica Meare wrote. “I am disgusted at their behaviour. Shouldn’t they be explaining to her why they are arresting her son rather that telling her to shut up? If he’s a minor doesn’t she have a right to be there?â€
QueenLizzy Bette Callachor said: “Yes this is a disgusting display of violence against women, and a clear show of police bullying.
“How can Australia say it is against domestic violence when the police behave like this?â€
The arrested boy’s sister, Loanna King, 17, told Daily Mail Australia police first arrested her brother before coming into her room and tackling her to the ground.
“They dragged me out of the house and onto the street — I still have the scars on my legs from this,†she said.
“About five policemen busted through our door and grabbed my brother who they said was being arrested for domestic violence, but my mother kept yelling to check his record because it’s clean and he is only 16.â€
Ms King said her two-year-old brother was left in the house alone as the rest of her family was handcuffed and held in police vehicles for 20 minutes.
They were then issued court dates for obstructing police.
“I feel very disgusted and disgraced that police do this kind of job,†Ms King said.
“I’m very hurt and in so much pain. I just can’t believe that’s what the government is paying these cops to do.â€
The Queensland Police Service has been contacted for comment.