The Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers has become a constant embarrassment to the State Government and police officers in general.
He raves on about gun ownership ranting that “…. only police officers should possess guns…” He will not admit the hundreds of unreported often in-house accidents caused by police officers who are incapable of using firearms.
Queensland police officer faces murder charge via private prosecution over Jason Protheroe shooting
By Josh Bavas Updated Fri at 6:56pm
Photo
Senior Constable Thomas Hess leaving the coronial inquest in 2013.
ABC News
The family of a Brisbane man shot dead by police during a call-out have filed a murder charge against an officer via a private prosecution.
Thomas Andrew McNaught Hess fatally shot Jason Protheroe, 36, during the stand-off with police in the backyard of a Bracken Ridge house on Brisbane’s northside in April 2012.
The officers had wanted to question Mr Protheroe over some stolen property.
Mr Protheroe was holding a replica gun but Senior Consable Hess believed it was real, a coronial inquest found.
It was found he was shot twice, in the back and the back of his arm.
The victim’s family said Hess would be summonsed to face a charge of murder in the Brisbane Magistrates Court early next month.
The Department of Public Prosecution did not lay the murder charge, but under the law a private prosecution can be launched by an individual.
Mr Protheroe’s father Stephen Protheroe criticised Police Union president Ian Leavers for telling the media after the shooting that his son Jason was armed.
Stephen Protheroe said they were vicious and malicious lies.
"You [Mr Leavers] tainted this whole case and painted a picture which wasn’t true," he said.
Police union outraged by allegation
Mr Leavers said Hess had been issued with a summonsed to appear for the offences of manslaughter and murder despite being cleared by the coroner, police ethical standards and the now Crime and Corruption Commission.
Mr Leavers said Mr Protheroe had aimed the replica gun at Hess, who believed his life was at risk.
"It’s just not right that a police officer doing his job can be served with a summons on a whim," Mr Leavers said.
"This is scary stuff and we are outraged."
The police union said it would use its legal team to have the matter withdrawn from the court.
"I believe there is no case to answer," Mr Leavers said.
The difference between America and Australia and New Zealand is that the cops in US are not afraid of the citizens owning guns.
In parts of US home invasion is low or nil. The criminal is often more afraid of the armed citizen than an armed cop. The armed cop is trained to think before shooting, a citizen is more likely to panic and shoot or at least that’s the way the crims think it.
How did the cop in the above story manage to shoot someone in the back in self defence.
Australia and New Zealand both appear to be experiencing a sudden increase in serious crime. It cant be a coincidence. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Ian Levers would have to be one of Australia,s greatest dick heads ever born