Melbourne man claims cop told him he was 'lucky there wasn't a gun in his face' as police 'harassed him for putting his bins out after 8pm curfew'
- Melburnian Jordan Hale realised at 9pm he'd forgotten to take his rubbish out
- He claims cop said he was 'lucky there wasn't a gun in his face' when confronted
- Stage Four lockdown in Melbourne means an 8pm curfew has been enforced
A Canadian man living in Melbourne has accused police of threatening him with a gun when he put his bins out an hour after the 8pm lockdown curfew.
Jordan Hale was taking out the rubbish at his home in Mickleham, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, at 9.20pm on August 20 when he was approached by police.
Stage Four lockdown in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire means an 8pm curfew has been enforced daily.
Hale told radio station 3AW he was asked to produce identification and explained he didn't carry ID while on his own property.
He said he then asked police if they had a warrant when they allegedly followed him onto the property.
Jordan Hale says police harassed him when he put his bins out at 9.20pm on August 20. Stage Four lockdown in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire means that an 8pm curfew has been enforced daily. Pictured: Police patrolling curfew on August 8
'The officer said something along the lines of I'm lucky there wasn't a gun in my face,' Mr Hale said.
'The officer went on to say: "I know you think you have rights but under the Health Act we can come in your house."'
Mr Hale said he responded that was the reason he was leaving Australia to return to Canada.
He also claimed the officer touched him without gloves on and got in his personal space.
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Mr Hale then got the officer to agree to let him go if he could recite his car's licence plate number from memory.
He added it would 'be a start' if his allegations were investigated.
Police have new powers during Victoria's state of emergency, which allow them to enter someone's home if they are believed to be breaching lockdown measures.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers were responding to reports of a stolen car in the area when they saw a man and stopped to talk to him about it.
Mr Hale told 3AW an officer touched him without wearing gloves and 'got in his personal space' during the alleged incident as he took out his bins (stock image)
'Police attempted to perform a routine check of the man’s personal details to confirm his name and address, which he did not want to provide in the first instance,' the spokeswoman said.
'During this discussion, they also spoke to him about the Chief Health Officer’s directives as he was not wearing a face covering. At no stage did police make any reference to holding a gun to this man’s face or make any other threats.
'Police do have the authority to enter a premises under the Health Act if they suspect a breach of the Chief Health Officer’s directions. Once officers confirmed the man’s identity and address, they left the premises and no further action was taken.'
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