Footage of NSW Police officer shoving woman sparks internal review

A review is under way after footage emerged of a young woman being forcefully shoved to the ground by a NSW Police officer at a protest on the state’s South Coast less than a week after major concerns were raised in a landmark review on “toxic” culture within the force.

Posted online by Greens senator David Shoebridge, the video shows interactions between NSW Police and a group of protesters during an anti-war protest in front of Bisalloy Steels at Port Kembla.

The protesters, who were briefly joined by Senator Shoebridge on Sunday night, have been blockading the front gates of the steel manufacturer for several days in protest of the company’s affiliation with the Israeli military.

The video shows officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad repeatedly shoving protesters who appear to be obstructing a convoy of police vehicles trying to gain entry to Bisalloy, which members of Wollongong Friends of Palestine had illegally barricaded with pallets and other large, heavy objects.

One woman, who appears to be filming interactions between police and protesters, steps in front of a police vehicle before an officer moves towards her, grabs her by the arm and tugs her with such force that she is thrown downwards into the pavement, landing on her back.

The officer, who stumbles during the interaction, regathers himself and walks away as protesters rush to the woman’s aid.

The video runs for another 17 seconds, and the woman does not get up during that time, nor do any officers check in to assess her health.

Senator Shoebridge said he found the incident “appalling” after reporting the video to his Instagram followers.

“Time and time again, from the Town Hall protests to this week’s Bisalloy picket, police brutalise protesters and protect industries and organisations that deliver violence,” he said.

“Enough is enough. My Greens colleagues and I are calling for an independent investigation into what appears to be another case of appalling police violence.”

A NSW Police spokesman told NewsWire the incident had stemmed from a police response to reports of “an unauthorised protest” on Sunday afternoon.

“On arrival, officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District found that a large group of protesters were blocking the entry to the business,” the spokesman said.

“Police remained on scene and monitored the group until about 6am Monday, when police – with assistance from specialist officers – directed the group to move from the entrance.”

The video is believed to have been taken at some point during that period.

The spokesman confirmed police had been made aware of the video and an internal review was under way.

Steel from Bisalloy is used in tanks driven by members of the Israeli Defence Forces who have been accused of committing war crimes against civilians, aid workers and journalists across Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza in recent years.

More to come