Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach

Eric Frei · 17th August 2010, 10:12 PM

So, what do you need or what does it take to be a "tree feller", especially in the beautiful Whitsundays?

Ex-cop pleads guilty to rough justice | The Australian

Quote:

August 17, 2010

A FORMER Queensland police officer pleaded guilty to three assaults on prisoners, with the violence captured on security video.

Benjamin Thomas Price, 33, a father of two, resigned his senior constable position at Airlie Beach police station on Queensland's Whitsunday coast tourist strip after he was charged and is now employed as a tree-feller.

The CCTV footage shows Price bashing and kicking a young tourist who was handcuffed, and then almost drowning him by shoving a fire hose into his mouth for more than half a minute.

Thomas Steele, 24, a plasterer from NSW, suffered a broken nose, black eyes, a head wound, memory loss and lack of sensation in his arms and hands after the arrest at Airlie Beach on May 24, 2008.

He was trying to break up a fight between mates when a policewoman, Constable Bree Sonter, used capsicum spray on him and Price handcuffed him, slammed his face into the police car and dragged him from the car to the watchhouse where the assault occurred.

Price is seen on the footage yelling "this is my town" as the assault continued.

Other police are seen watching the assault, but nobody intervened.

Another of the charges related to slightly-built barmaid Renee Toms, who was flung about by her hair by Price and then body-slammed to the ground in the police station.

The third assault to which Price has pleaded guilty involved a man he punched in the face during an argument about urinating in public.

Price was yesterday released on bail and made no comment after judge John Durwood ordered he be remanded to Townsville District Court for sentencing on October 8.

I think he could join the QAA too.

micksaw · 20th August 2010, 03:18 PM

Maybe he was a tree feller before he was a cop, who knows

Eric Frei · 10th October 2010, 10:53 AM

Video footage of rogue policeman Benjamin Price bashing handcuffed tourists has been shown to the court | Courier Mail

Quote:

October 08, 2010

GRAPHIC footage of a rogue cop bashing handcuffed tourists in a Whitsunday police station has today been shown in court.

Former Senior Constable Benjamin Price, 34, is today being sentenced in Townsville District Court after pleading guilty to four counts of assault against three victims in the north Queensland tourist mecca in 2007 and 2008.

Shocking security camera footage captured the police officer bashing two handcuffed tourists - jamming a fire hose into the throat of one male victim - at the Airlie Beach police station.

His actions only came to light when Price was reported by female police whistleblower constable Bree Sonter and forced to resign amid an internal affairs investigation.

In the CCTV footage, Price can be seen punching and kneeing a bleeding, handcuffed Timothy Steele, 23 at the time, in May 25, 2008.

Price puts him in a brutal spine lock and leaves the commercial diver with a broken nose and two blackened eyes, cuts and bruising to the face.

Other police officers watch on - but none intervene - as Price stuffs a running fire hose into his victim's mouth, nearly drowning him in a five minute ordeal, before Mr Steele slumps forward unmoving.

In another incident captured on camera, petite barmaid Renee Toms, 21 at the time, also handcuffed, was hit in the neck, flung about by the hair, and slammed to the floor inside the watchhouse by Price on January 2008.

Two female officers watch on, but again, do not stop the assault.

His third victim, investment banker Nicholas Le Fevre, of Sydney, was king-hit and repeatedly punched in the head by Price after arguing over urinating in a park while on holiday in Airlie Beach.

The Courier-Mail has an application before the court to access the footage.

The sentencing before Judge Stuart Durward continues.

Jaded cop faces jail over bashings

Quote:

October 8, 2010

A former police officer facing jail for assaulting people in custody told colleagues he was so jaded with his job he believed the public should be "sprayed with napalm".

Benjamin Thomas Price faced a sentencing hearing in Townsville District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to four counts of assault committed while he was working at Airlie Beach Police station between 2007 and 2008.

Price will spend the weekend in custody after Judge Durward adjourned his decision until Monday after hearing submissions.
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Prosecutor Jodie Wooldridge called for Price to face three years' jail, with parole granted after 12 months.

She said Price had shown no remorse for his actions and while under investigation for the assaults had told fellow officers he was jaded and cynical about his work.

"When I went through the academy, I was told when you have decided the public need to be crop-dusted with 24-D (pesticide) it's time to get out of the game," he was quoted as saying to fellow officers.

"I've got past the 24-D. I think they should be sprayed with napalm."

He also joked about "flogging" his three victims, adding that "they should bring in a new act called the public flogging act".

The court was played graphic footage of the assaults, including vision of Price punching 23-year-old Timothy Steele in the head and forcing a high powered fire hose down his throat.

In another video, Price is seen slamming the slightly built Renee Toms, then 21, to the floor of the watchhouse before pulling her up by the hair and lifting her off the ground in the process.

Defence barrister Steve Zillman told the court his client was not suited to policing and had been under pressure because of staff shortages at the police station.

He said his client had been provoked by the three victims who he said were "intoxicated and aggressive".

"On each occasion, my client was unable to cope," he claimed.

He called for a lighter sentence, of nine months, to be imposed with parole granted after three months.

Judge Durward is due to hand down his sentence on Monday.

Apocalypsse · 10th October 2010, 11:54 AM

My gods, this cop should get more time for the crap he pulled. Sounds more like what they would do @ Gitmo to terrorist suspects. Its annoying how his lawyer tries to pass it off 'being unable to cope', so you beat the crap out of them and torture them?

Eric Frei · 10th October 2010, 12:02 PM

what about all the other cops not saying anything? Took a rookie new to the station to blow the whistle.

The cops are getting a flogging up here lately, they're going through them with a fine tooth comb. It stems back as far as the Palm Island Doomadgee death in 2004.

I can understand that certain cops with certain psycological profiles get a gutfull after a while.

However you'd think that there'd be systems in place to monitor that, to change peoples jobs and tasks accordingly so they do not blow a gasket.

Job and location rotation can help, programs can help etc.

Garry Brockley · 10th October 2010, 12:15 PM

un believable how a comunity of police officers can cover up this kind of abuse, hope he gets a kicking in prison

Apocalypsse · 10th October 2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

what about all the other cops not saying anything? Took a rookie new to the station to blow the whistle.

The cops are getting a flogging up here lately, they're going through them with a fine tooth comb. It stems back as far as the Palm Island Doomadgee death in 2004.

I can understand that certain cops with certain psycological profiles get a gutfull after a while.

However you'd think that there'd be systems in place to monitor that, to change peoples jobs and tasks accordingly so they do not blow a gasket.

Job and location rotation can help, programs can help etc.

That would mean admitting theres a problem!!!!1! There should be some sort of mandatory psyc evaluation every few years to determine their suitability to be police officers. Optional relocation should just be straight up relocation or gtfo of the Police Force

Done it · 12th October 2010, 09:43 PM

Well he's on youtube now. I didn't watch it all. What a piece of s***

The others should be charged as well I reckon, the one that gave him the hose especially. That's as far as I got.

Police release security video of Benjamin Price bashing handcuffed tourists at Airlie Beach | News.com.au

Eric Frei · 12th October 2010, 11:30 PM

He got 9 months no probation, that's all (but a 27month sentence).

Apocalypsse · 13th October 2010, 08:00 AM

Far too lenient imo. The laws are for Australia of decades ago, not today.

Garry Brockley · 14th October 2010, 08:04 PM

I notice nothing happened to the cop that was with him he just stood there.
and they wonder why they get no respect anymore, show true justice not just a puppet show to appease the nation.
if that was a civilian the cops would be all over them fighting for a big conviction for all.

Eric Frei · 15th October 2010, 05:33 PM

Qld police have a channel on Youtube. Here's the footage.

YouTube - CCTV footage of assaults by former Queensland Police Service officer

Police complain a lot about their pay and conditions ..... quitting is always an option but clearly that lack of quitting until their busted means the pay and conditions are pretty good!

Eric Frei · 16th October 2010, 06:28 PM

Well, thank goodness the CMC read this forum

, now there's hell to break loose for the Police Force.

Do not forget this is the same Queensland Police Force that use Youtube videos to bust citizens for crap like skateboarding down a hill and crossing double lines, yet they have their own indoor footage of violent crime and sweep it under the carpet ....

CMC probe into violent cop bashing by Benjamin Price | Courier Mail

Quote:

October 16, 2010

THE Crime and Misconduct Commission has been urged to re-investigate the Airlie Beach police bashings following the release of disturbing video footage of assaults by jailed former officer Benjamin Price.

The videos show other officers watching and in one case assisting Price during his assaults on handcuffed offenders, but the police service has said there is not enough evidence to charge them.

In a letter sent to the CMC, Queensland Council of Civil Liberties vice-president Terry O'Gorman said there were indications the police handling of the case had been "less than rigorous".

"It is submitted there are a number of unaddressed issues in relation to the Airlie Beach matter, which bear an unfortunate similarity to the steps engaged in by various police in relation to the cover-up of the Palm Island affair," the letter reads.

Mr O'Gorman said there were "unsatisfactory aspects" to the Price case that warranted a thorough investigation.

"Why have criminal charges not been laid against the other officers who were present when a fire hose was shoved down the complainant's throat?" Mr O'Gorman said. "Why was Mr Price charged with the lesser offence of assault occasioning bodily harm when on the facts publicly known a charge of torture was clearly open?"

He said other senior criminal lawyers were of the opinion that under the law, the other officers who were present during the assaults could be charged.

"Presence in something like that is regarded as encouragement," Mr O'Gorman said.

"Secondly, the bloke who hands the police officer the hose is an alleged accomplice. That's criminal law 101."

A CMC spokeswoman said the investigation into officers who observed the assaults was "ongoing".

"The CMC will be provided with a report from the QPS Ethical Standards Command. This report will outline the action the ESC is recommending against the officers," she said.

The videos posted by Queensland Police on YouTube have now been viewed by almost 200,000 people and have also been uploaded to other websites in India, New Zealand, the UK and the US.

Mr O'Gorman also criticised the "doctoring" of the footage including the lack of audio, but the CMC spokeswoman said the release of the video was a matter for the QPS.

A broom about the size of one to cleanse the BCC and QAA is needed in the police force!

Done it · 4th December 2010, 09:54 PM

I was just cleaning up, I forgot to post this.

Interveiw with the victims on ACA.

Link works but might be slow.

Cop bash exclusive

I wonder how he's going?

20th August 2010, 03:18 PM	#2
micksaw I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: rockhampton Posts: 2	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach Maybe he was a tree feller before he was a cop, who knows

10th October 2010, 11:54 AM	#4
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach My gods, this cop should get more time for the crap he pulled. Sounds more like what they would do @ Gitmo to terrorist suspects. Its annoying how his lawyer tries to pass it off 'being unable to cope', so you beat the crap out of them and torture them?

10th October 2010, 12:02 PM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach what about all the other cops not saying anything? Took a rookie new to the station to blow the whistle. The cops are getting a flogging up here lately, they're going through them with a fine tooth comb. It stems back as far as the Palm Island Doomadgee death in 2004. I can understand that certain cops with certain psycological profiles get a gutfull after a while. However you'd think that there'd be systems in place to monitor that, to change peoples jobs and tasks accordingly so they do not blow a gasket. Job and location rotation can help, programs can help etc. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

10th October 2010, 12:15 PM	#6
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach un believable how a comunity of police officers can cover up this kind of abuse, hope he gets a kicking in prison __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

12th October 2010, 09:43 PM	#8
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach Well he's on youtube now. I didn't watch it all. What a piece of s*** The others should be charged as well I reckon, the one that gave him the hose especially. That's as far as I got. Police release security video of Benjamin Price bashing handcuffed tourists at Airlie Beach \| News.com.au

12th October 2010, 11:30 PM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach He got 9 months no probation, that's all (but a 27month sentence). __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

13th October 2010, 08:00 AM	#10
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach Far too lenient imo. The laws are for Australia of decades ago, not today.

14th October 2010, 08:04 PM	#11
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach I notice nothing happened to the cop that was with him he just stood there. and they wonder why they get no respect anymore, show true justice not just a puppet show to appease the nation. if that was a civilian the cops would be all over them fighting for a big conviction for all. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

4th December 2010, 09:54 PM	#14
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: Qualifications to be a tree feller in Airlie Beach I was just cleaning up, I forgot to post this. Interveiw with the victims on ACA. Link works but might be slow. Cop bash exclusive I wonder how he's going? Attached Thumbnails

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