The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has reiterated its concerns about sentencing by the ACT judiciary following a recent case involving an offender who assaulted a police officer in August 2024.
AFPA President Alex Caruana acknowledged that while some recent sentences have been appropriate, others have fallen short, leaving victims feeling neglected, vulnerable, and disillusioned with the justice system.
“For example, an offender who shot at an ACT Policing member with a bow and arrow received a sentence of 22 months in prison. This reflects the seriousness of the offence and is, by ACT standards, a fair and reasonable outcome. Some may argue it’s a light sentence, but we consider it a good sentence given ACT sentencing trends.
“However, in stark contrast, we have another case from August 2024 where an offender assaulted an ACT Policing officer, causing significant facial bruising and a mild traumatic brain injury. This offender received only a 12-month good behaviour order, three months of probation, and no conviction recorded.
“How can someone assault another person—let alone a police officer—causing a brain injury and face no conviction? The officer has been left unable to return to full operational duties due to the injuries sustained. This assault has had both physical and psychological impacts, which appear to have been completely overlooked. Such a sentence sends a harmful message that assaulting police officers carries minimal consequences. In this case, the Magistrate should deeply consider their decision and the message it sends to the community,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA calls for the ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to appeal the sentencing.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the ODPP should not consider this outcome a ‘win.’
“They must appeal this lenient and inadequate sentence. Our members are outraged, and rightly so. The officer involved has suffered a significant injury, yet the court allowed a violent offender to walk away without even a recorded conviction. It’s disgraceful.”
The AFPA continues to advocate for stronger judicial responses and will continue its campaign for an independent review of bail and sentencing in the ACT.
For comments:
AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts – (02) 6285 1677 – troy.r@afpa.org.au
ACT JUDICIARY CONTINUES ITS POOR SENTENCING FOR ASSAULTS AGAINST POLICE
19 December 2024
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) has reiterated its concerns about sentencing by the ACT judiciary following a recent case involving an offender who assaulted a police officer in August 2024.
AFPA President Alex Caruana acknowledged that while some recent sentences have been appropriate, others have fallen short, leaving victims feeling neglected, vulnerable, and disillusioned with the justice system.
“For example, an offender who shot at an ACT Policing member with a bow and arrow received a sentence of 22 months in prison. This reflects the seriousness of the offence and is, by ACT standards, a fair and reasonable outcome. Some may argue it’s a light sentence, but we consider it a good sentence given ACT sentencing trends.
“However, in stark contrast, we have another case from August 2024 where an offender assaulted an ACT Policing officer, causing significant facial bruising and a mild traumatic brain injury. This offender received only a 12-month good behaviour order, three months of probation, and no conviction recorded.
“How can someone assault another person—let alone a police officer—causing a brain injury and face no conviction? The officer has been left unable to return to full operational duties due to the injuries sustained. This assault has had both physical and psychological impacts, which appear to have been completely overlooked. Such a sentence sends a harmful message that assaulting police officers carries minimal consequences. In this case, the Magistrate should deeply consider their decision and the message it sends to the community,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA calls for the ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to appeal the sentencing.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the ODPP should not consider this outcome a ‘win.’
“They must appeal this lenient and inadequate sentence. Our members are outraged, and rightly so. The officer involved has suffered a significant injury, yet the court allowed a violent offender to walk away without even a recorded conviction. It’s disgraceful.”
The AFPA continues to advocate for stronger judicial responses and will continue its campaign for an independent review of bail and sentencing in the ACT.
For comments:
AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager Troy Roberts – (02) 6285 1677 – troy.r@afpa.org.au
