Police officer Alex Christian has had watched the man who assaulted him in the line of duty walk out of a Central West Court House laughing on June 26.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The offender had just been handed a community corrections order.
Meanwhile, Sen Const Christian is questioning his career choice as he awaits results of blood tests to see if the bite inflicted on him by the Orange offender will cause more lasting damage.
Police Association NSW representative and police officer with Bathurst Police Force Senior Constable Alex Christian has been through numerous ordeals following an assault on him while working on Sunday morning, March 10.
The police officer of seven years was bitten on his right bicep while attending an altercation at a local establishment. The offender was not a part of the fight, but became belligerent when Snr Constable Christian and his partner asked him to move on.
"It took 15 minutes to move him. We then decided to make an arrest and he became violent, throwing punches and kneeing us. He then bit me on my right bicep," he said.
Snr Const Christian knows violence and assaults can come with the territory but it's what happened next that has the police officer demoralised and questioning his job options.
"I'm sick of hearing politicians say police aren't punching bags and then not doing anything about it," he said.
Minister for Police, David Elliot MP said any attack on police affects the entire policing community.
"Assaulting a police officer is a very low act, our men and women in blue serve and protect the community and deserve to be treated with respect at all times," he said.
"The Crimes Act includes several offences for assaulting police officers which attract penalties for up to 14 years behind bars."
Snr Constable Christan's is "disgusted" by the outcome. The offender was placed on an 18 month community corrections order.
It's like the government are placing the rights of the offender over the welfare of the emergency services personnel.
- Alex Christian, NSW PA and NSW police officer.
"It's demoralising and it leaves me questioning my career choice," he said,
After the incident Snr Constable Christian went to hospital and had the bite wound cleaned. He had a blood test taken to test for transmittable diseases but it is some time until he is cleared.
"Why should I have to sit around for six months to find out whether or not I have a life altering disease," he said.
"We need laws that allow us to blood test offenders who bite and scratch and spit at arrest. We take the offender into custody and then get a blood test at the closest medical facility."
The Minister for police said there is an option for laws to be changed.
"The door to reform is never closed and any government should be open to reviewing its laws if they do not align with community expectations," Mr Elliot said.
The PANSW and Snr Constable Christian are campaigning to get the legislation through parliament so this can become law.
"PANSW is very active in introducing legislation, they've been pushing quite some time. Apparently the legislation is there, we're just waiting for the politicians to pull the trigger," he said.
"It's like the government are placing the rights of the offender over the welfare of the emergency services personnel."
Keep up-to-date with local news by subscribing to the Daily Liberal or sign up to the newsletters below.
Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
