The Authority received a complaint from a man who was stopped by Police in Richmond on 1 August 2024. He alleged that officers stopped his car unlawfully, his car keys were taken without proper authority, the attitude of the officers was aggressive and inappropriate, and that he was assaulted by being pushed against his car by an officer.

We completed an independent investigation which included interviews of the man, and the officers involved. We found the vehicle stop was part of a routine traffic operation and was lawfully conducted.

It was established that the man was arrested as, despite warnings, he was aggressive and refused to provide his name and address. Due to the arrest, his vehicle keys were secured by an officer. We accept that, in these circumstances, this was appropriate and lawful.

The man then produced his driver’s licence. The officer told him to remain until the details were checked. However, he got out of the car and went to move away. Because of this, another officer, held the man against his car. Upon learning the man had moved to comfort his distressed infant daughter who was in the back seat, the officer let him go to console her.

When the man’s details were confirmed, the arrest was rescinded and he was allowed to drive away, later receiving an infringement notice.

It is not obvious to us that the officers’ attitudes in dealing with this matter were anything other than professional. The force used was minimal and, in our assessment, justified in the circumstances.

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