Within the policing research, there are relatively few studies that examine assaults against police officers – particularly in an Australian context. The majority of research that does examine the topic derives from the US, however, both society and policing practices are very different in Australian to the US. Subsequently, policing patterns and trends may also differ between these countries and, therefore, knowledge from the US cannot always be applied to Australia. Hence, there is a significant gap in the knowledge about assaults against police officers despite its prevalence and, sadly, the sometimes fatal consequences. More research is needed to gain a better understanding of the circumstances involving assaults against police in an Australian context in order to inform best practices to reduce and prevent assaults against the police from occurring.
Outlined below is a brief overview of three Australian research projects and some of their relevant key findings. It is recommended that members of the committee should refer to the original publications in full for a thorough understanding of the findings and their context. The first study examined police fatalities in Australia including New South Wales (NSW) Police officers who died as a result of an assault. This study provides insights into the most serious incidences of assaults against police. The second study examined Queensland Police officers who sustained injuries during significant events. While this study did not specifically examine NSW Police officers, it does provide insights into the circumstances in which officers get hurt as a result of assaults. Finally, the third study examined suspect resistance in Australia. This study helps to provide insights into the circumstances of when suspects resist and why suspects might resist arrest. For a detailed overview of each of these studies, please refer to the published findings outlined above. I am happy to expand on anything in this submission as required.