Four people charged after police officer 'ragdolled' by 'pack of animals' during St Kilda arrest
Three men and a woman have been charged after a police officer was allegedly "ragdolled" and had his head smashed into the ground while another was seriously injured during an arrest in the early hours of Sunday.
The horrific assault occurred after police were called to Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, just before 3am after reports of an attack on a vulnerable woman.
A 26-year-old St Kilda man, a 27-year-old Langwarrin man, a 25-year-old Langwarrin woman and a 38-year-old Frankston man were arrested on Sunday night.
They have all been charged with two counts of assault police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally cause injury and other assault-related offences.
They will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday morning.
Superintendent Tony Silva said on Sunday when police arrived at the scene a 26-year-old man who was believed to be a person of interest fled on foot down the street.
Police said the officers ran after him and had him on the ground to arrest him when one woman and five to six men in their early 20s tried to intervene.
He said the officer, in his 50s, was taken to Epworth Hospital and released with facial swelling, cuts and bruising to his forehead.
The other officer was also allegedly attacked and received serious injuries to his arm, requiring hospital treatment and surgery.
Officers were forced to use capsicum spray during the arrest, he said.
The woman who was originally attacked received minor lacerations and bruising to her forehead and was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.
Superintendent Silva said a member of the public sent through horrific vision of the attack on police.
"I've been in the police force for over 30 years and the beauty of my job is I get to see some really great people out there, but I also see the worst of society and what I've seen on this video and what I've seen through this event is the worst of society," he said.
Superintendent Silva said the group who attacked the officers had acted like a "pack of animals".
He said several people rushed to help the injured officers and "in my eyes they saved them from more serious injuries".
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au