Drunken police raid US students

http://www.thewest.com.au/20040529/n...sto125735.html
LUKE MORFESSE - CRIME REPORTER



A group of drunken off-duty police officers forced
American students to kneel on the ground at their Fremantle dormitory while
taunting and humiliating them about the United States involvement in Iraq.

The incident is one of several being investigated by
police internal affairs after a wild night in two of the port city's popular
night spots involving seven WA police and two NSW officers.

Some of the worst behaviour was inflicted on patrons at
the Orient Hotel, where one of the officers vomited across the bar after the
drunken group was refused service.

Witnesses said a German barman was abused and insulted
with nazi salutes. Earlier, the men told drinkers they were "above the law"
because they were police.

The West Australian was told some drinkers at the Orient
Hotel last Tuesday were Notre Dame University students but the abuse of the
US students erupted after a fight at the Zanzibar nightclub.

During that incident, one of the seven WA officers, who
are all from the Fremantle district, was allegedly assaulted by one of the
American Notre Dame students and had a tooth knocked out.

Enraged, some of the drunken officers tracked the American
down to the university's student accommodation.

It was there that several American students, including
some who had nothing to do with the clash at the Zanzibar, were made to
kneel on the ground and were humiliated.

It is understood the taunting included comments such as
"Yankies go home", "What are you doing in our country" and "What are you
doing in Iraq".

Frightened students called the police.

Several students approached by The West Australian
yesterday declined to comment.

The university's acting vice-chancellor, Professor Peter
Dallimore, said he would not comment because a student had been charged and
the matter was still under investigation.

Because the incident involved Americans it is understood
the university informed the US Consul in Perth.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she was appalled by
what she had been told about the incident.

"I wouldn't have thought that any police officers would
engage in this kind of behaviour, on duty or off duty," she said.

"The fact of the matter is that police officers . . . need
to set an example to the community."

Assistant Commissioner Tim Atherton said the public had
high expectations of police and he had instructed a superintendent and an
inspector to investigate the matter.

Mr Atherton pledged to get to the bottom of any misconduct
by police.

"The Commissioner and I share a great deal of frustration
about this incident," he said.


















--
jlrogers±³©
Never date a woman you can hear ticking. - Mark Patinkin

Eschew Obfuscation.

Wonder if any ex-coppers were involved? I hear they are the nutty ones.

SV


"jlrogers±³©" wrote in message
news
Drunken police raid US students


http://www.thewest.com.au/20040529/n...l-home-sto1257
35.html
LUKE MORFESSE - CRIME REPORTER



A group of drunken off-duty police officers forced
American students to kneel on the ground at their Fremantle dormitory
while
taunting and humiliating them about the United States involvement in Iraq.

The incident is one of several being investigated by
police internal affairs after a wild night in two of the port city's
popular
night spots involving seven WA police and two NSW officers.

Some of the worst behaviour was inflicted on patrons at
the Orient Hotel, where one of the officers vomited across the bar after
the
drunken group was refused service.

Witnesses said a German barman was abused and insulted
with nazi salutes. Earlier, the men told drinkers they were "above the
law"
because they were police.

The West Australian was told some drinkers at the Orient
Hotel last Tuesday were Notre Dame University students but the abuse of
the
US students erupted after a fight at the Zanzibar nightclub.

During that incident, one of the seven WA officers, who
are all from the Fremantle district, was allegedly assaulted by one of the
American Notre Dame students and had a tooth knocked out.

Enraged, some of the drunken officers tracked the
American
down to the university's student accommodation.

It was there that several American students, including
some who had nothing to do with the clash at the Zanzibar, were made to
kneel on the ground and were humiliated.

It is understood the taunting included comments such as
"Yankies go home", "What are you doing in our country" and "What are you
doing in Iraq".

Frightened students called the police.

Several students approached by The West Australian
yesterday declined to comment.

The university's acting vice-chancellor, Professor Peter
Dallimore, said he would not comment because a student had been charged
and
the matter was still under investigation.

Because the incident involved Americans it is understood
the university informed the US Consul in Perth.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she was appalled
by
what she had been told about the incident.

"I wouldn't have thought that any police officers would
engage in this kind of behaviour, on duty or off duty," she said.

"The fact of the matter is that police officers . . .
need
to set an example to the community."

Assistant Commissioner Tim Atherton said the public had
high expectations of police and he had instructed a superintendent and an
inspector to investigate the matter.

Mr Atherton pledged to get to the bottom of any
misconduct
by police.

"The Commissioner and I share a great deal of
frustration
about this incident," he said.


















--
jlrogers±³©
Never date a woman you can hear ticking. - Mark Patinkin

Eschew Obfuscation.