The family of a 17-year-old Aboriginal boy has accused police of racial profiling after officers, with guns drawn, mistakenly detained him on a Canberra bus. The incident occurred last week when the teenager was traveling alone to visit family. Police stopped the bus, boarded it with weapons ready, and arrested the boy, only to realize he was not the suspect they were seeking.
The family reports that officers did not ask for the boy’s name or identification before forcibly removing him from the bus, handcuffing him, and placing him face down on the ground. After comparing a photo on their phone with the boy, police acknowledged their mistake, removed the handcuffs, and apologized.
Family Demands Accountability
This morning, the boy’s family gathered outside the Legislative Assembly, demanding accountability and action. They described the incident as a severe violation of human rights.
“What happened … was not a mistake. It was not a misunderstanding. It was a gross violation of a child’s human rights,” the family stated. “Your officers pointed a gun at him. Your officers dragged him off a bus. Your officers slammed him onto the ground. Your officers pinned him down with their knees.”
The family expressed that the teenager is now traumatized, afraid to leave the house, and unwilling to use public transport. They are calling for transparency, a formal apology, and a thorough investigation into the officers’ conduct. Additionally, they have requested access to the body-worn camera footage and funding for trauma counseling.
Police Response and Investigation
ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee confirmed that the arresting officer apologized to the boy and removed the handcuffs at the scene. However, he defended the officers’ actions, citing the context of the situation.
“I want to be clear that I have reviewed the body-worn camera of this matter from the bus. And based on that … and the briefings I have received, I support the actions of the members,” Deputy Commissioner Lee stated.
Police were responding to reports of an aggravated burglary, attempted carjackings, and other violent incidents. They had received information that a suspect matching the description was on the bus. The officers entered, issued commands, and detained the boy, only to realize the misidentification shortly after.
Deputy Commissioner Lee mentioned that the boy was compliant during the arrest and emphasized that the officers followed standard procedures. He did not rule out allowing the family to view the footage, aiming to address concerns about institutional racism.
Community Outrage and Calls for Change
The incident has sparked outrage among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community advocates, who issued a joint statement condemning the police’s actions.
“This act of racial profiling is outrageous, unacceptable, and a devastating breach of safety and trust,” the statement read. “No Aboriginal child in Canberra should ever face a gun because of police racial profiling. This use of excessive force on a child is not acceptable.”
Kaylene McLeod, a representative of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, described the incident as horrific and unjustifiable. The community is calling for systemic changes to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Government and Institutional Response
ACT Police Minister Marisa Paterson expressed her confidence in ACT Policing but acknowledged the concerns raised by the family and community stakeholders. She has offered to meet with the family and emphasized the importance of building trust with vulnerable community segments.
The complaint against ACT Policing will be investigated by the Australian Federal Police’s Professional Standards Command and the ACT Ombudsman. This development highlights ongoing tensions and the urgent need for dialogue and reform in police-community relations.
