Qld: Officer 'had no option' but to shoot

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2007
Qld: Officer 'had no option' but to shoot

By Roberta Mancuso

BRISBANE, Dec 18 AAP - A Queensland police officer who fired three shots into a car,
hitting a teenager in the leg, had no option but to shoot because he feared for his life,
senior police say.

The Queensland Police Union and the officer's boss today backed the shooting, saying
it was the only way he could avoid being "squashed" between his patrol car and the vehicle
being driven straight at him.

The detective constable and his partner were patrolling the streets of Tamborine in
the Gold Coast hinterland when they saw two men breaking into a convenience store on Beenleigh-Beaudesert
Road about 1am (AEST) today.

The men fled, sparking a police chase into nearby Leach Road.

Logan District Superintendent Alistair Dawson said the car performed a U-turn at the
end of the dark, narrow street and drove straight at the officers, who were outside their
car.

"Based on all the information I've been given to date and the preliminary investigation
and the very nature of the environment of which the officers were (a part) ... I think
the officers had very few options open to them," Supt Dawson said.

"I understand the officer was in fear of his life, and I support the officer in relation
to the actions that he's taken today."

One bullet hit the passenger, an 18-year-old Jimboomba man, in the thigh.

He was taken to Logan Hospital for emergency surgery and later charged with two break
and enter offences.

He is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on January 18.

The 17-year-old driver was charged with dangerous driving, break and enter, acts intending
to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a drug utensil.

He is expected to face the same court today.

The police Ethical Standards Command has launched an investigation which will be overseen
by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

Police union vice president Denis Fitzpatrick said the officer, who had five years
experience, was only centimetres away from being crushed.

"He had no avenue of retreat," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"This is the only possible option he had at his disposal.

"He just fired as best he could in the circumstances when he was about to be squashed."

Mr Fitzpatrick said there was "no question" violence against police was increasing.

In July, Constable Brett Irwin was shot dead during a routine job in Keperra, in Brisbane's
north-west.

In October, police shot at three people in separate incidents, killing one man who
drove a van at them in the Brisbane suburb of Yeerongpilly.

A 43-year-old who allegedly threatened officers with a knife after holding seven children
hostage in Rockhampton also was shot at in November.

"This just highlights to me the dangers that the police ... face every day and every
night in protecting the community," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"Certainly I can't remember a year like it."

Police Minister Judy Spence said the shooting sent a clear message that people should
obey police directions "or face the consequences".

AAP rm/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: SHOT NIGHTLEAD

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