urg:::Beverley Police Violence

[Gavin Mudd]

Posted: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 18:56 ACST

Officers face discipline over uranium protest


Two police officers are facing disciplinary charges over a protest at the
Beverley Uranium Mine in northern South Australia more than two years ago.

South Australia's Police Commissioner Mal Hyde has released the findings of
a Police Complaints Authority investigation.

The action involving anti-uranium protesters in May 2000 saw more than 40
arrests as the protests outside the gates of the Beverley mine turned
violent.

Releasing the police complaints authority report, Commissioner Hyde said it
had been thorough.

One-hundred-and-sixty-four statements had been taken from witnesses, many
residing interstate and overseas.

As well as the announcement of charges against the two officers, the report
recommends training for police on legal and management issues concerning
breaches of the peace, and on the use of operational policing equipment.


© 2002 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Posted: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 14:22 ACST

Anti-uranium protesters to take civil action against police


Civil action is now expected after an official report into a violent clash
between police and protesters at the Beverley uranium mine in South
Australia's north, more than two years ago.

Commissioner Mal Hyde is promising to act on recommendations by the Police
Complaints Authority, which found a number of officers used excessive force
during the anti-uranium protests.

David Noonan from the Australian Conservation Foundation, says a
Melbourne-based lawyer is acting for at least 10 protesters.

"There is going to be a civil case by protesters and that has been delayed
because it's taken over two years for the Police Complaints Authority to
make their report public, even though that information in the report was
given to the Police Commissioner in August last year," Mr Noonan said.


© 2002 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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Posted: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 15:15 ACST

Environmentalists and police authority critical of police actions


Envrionmentalists say the police attitude towards protesters in South
Australia has to change from the top down.

It follows a report showing police used excessive force during violent
clashes with antinuclear protesters at the Beverley uranium mine two years
ago.

Among other things, the report by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA)
recommends two officers face disciplinary action.

The Australian Conservation Foundation's David Noonan says the two officers
are not the only ones who should face the heat.

"It's clear from the PCA report that there was systematic overreaction.

"But it's really the most senior police who should have to answer as to why
things went so wrong in Australia in this modern day and age, that our TVs
show our police acting as though they were from the old South Africa," Mr
Noonan said.


© 2002 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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No police protester apology - yet
By SUSAN ARCHDALL
05jun02


POLICE will not apologise - at the moment - for the excessive force used
during protests two years ago at Beverley uranium mine, Deputy Commissioner
Neil McKenzie said yesterday.

"It may be a consideration in the future because there are other things that
need to be considered but it wasn't part of the recommendation of the Police
Complaints Authority," he said.

Mr McKenzie admitted, however, there was no justification for the heavy
handed actions.

His comments came a day after the Police Complaints Authority's scathing
report into police conduct against protesters.

On the same day, Police Minister Pat Conlon said: "On this occasion it
appears they got it a bit wrong. I apologise for that."

Police arrested 31 people during the protests at the remote mine, more than
540km north of Adelaide, on May 9, 2000.

The report has recommended two police officers, who used excessive force, be
charged.

One used his baton repeatedly to hit a protester while the other applied
capsicum spray to a protester while he allegedly was posing no threat.

Mr McKenzie said the officers' punishment would be decided by the police's
Professional Conduct Branch and could range from cautions to dismissals.

During the incident, some protesters were held in a cage car in hot
conditions while others were locked in a shipping container.

Mr McKenzie said the spontaneity of the incident and remoteness of the site
meant police were not prepared for the protest.

"There was quite a lot of violence shown to our people and a number of
injuries were sustained ... only a small number of police were on hand to
combat the situation," he said.

"This was not, by any description, a peaceful protest. Our officers were
dealing with a very difficult and violent situation where at times rocks
were being thrown at them ... striking (them and) smashing car windows.

The Beverley incident already had "had some significant impact on the manner
in which SAPOL addresses major demonstrations in remote areas," he said.

"A lot of the difficulties that were faced because of the spontaneity of the
Beverley demonstration" had been included in planning for recent incidents
at the Woomera Detention Centre.

There had been no complaints about police behaviour at the Woomera
demonstrations, which had been more violent, involved more police officers
and went on for several days.

Protesters are planning civil action against the State Government and police
over the Beverley clashes.


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