Queensland cop aims Taser stun gun at tourist with 'biker-like tattoos' (VIDEO)
A tourist couple accused Queensland Police of brutality after a cop drew her Taser on a heavily-tattooed man when he refused to hand over his cell phone. A video of the incident shot by the man has gone viral, generating over 2 million views on Facebook.
“We have legislation down here, if we identify a potential member of a criminal motorcycle gang we have the power to stop, detain and search you,” the officer says in the footage.
Just drove out of Gold Coast airport, I have no club gear on at all they simply seen me and my partner Hayley at a red light noticed a 13 tattooed on my neck and pulled us over made us get out of car.. I was strip searched on the side of a major freeway by four officers and told to get on the ground? Pfft what a joke welcome to QLD Ay as soon as We got pulled over I started recording because I have been advised to from lawyer in case something like this may happen ..the other female officer tells me I can't film grabs me on the throat then pulls a taser on me ? For what executing my rights ? After they worked out who I was after checking my ID searching the car and all that the female officer in charge ses to me we will make a deal with you! You delete that footage or else we will confiscate yours and your girlfriends phone for 28days so I unlocked my phone and the female officer in charge deleted the footage! ...Well lucky my phone saves deleted photos and videos so everyone feel free to share this this is fkd up what a good start to our holiday str8 from airport and into our rental car what a joke..WE ALL HAVE RIGHTS! DONT LET THEM TAKE THEM AWAY!..
Posted by Hayley Van Hostauyen on Monday, October 26, 2015
When the man asks if his neck tattoos were the only reason for being pulled over, the woman admits: “Yep, absolutely.”
According to Hayley Van Hostauyen’s Facebook page, the pair had just arrived in Queensland for a holiday when they were pulled over by officers. Police thought for some reason that the man with tattoos could be involved in a motorcycle gang. The short video shows two officers approach the car and request the couple get out.
“Pfft what a joke welcome to QLD,” the man wrote.
“I have no club gear on at all they simply seen [sic] me and my partner Hayley at a red light, noticed a 13 tattooed on my neck and pulled us over,” he added.
One of the cops requested the man hand over the phone he was using to film the unfriendly encounter. When the man showed unwillingness to part with his gadget, one of the officers immediately aimed her Taser at him.
But after checking his ID and searching the car, the female officer in charge allegedly offered a deal, according to the man.
“You delete that footage or else we will confiscate yours and your girlfriend’s phone for 28 days,” the man wrote, adding that he unlocked his phone and the officer deleted the footage.
“Well lucky my phone saves deleted photos and videos,” he wrote on Facebook, urging users to spread the word. “We all have rights, don't let them take them away,” he noted.
Queensland Police meanwhile defended its officers’ actions, saying they were “deemed to have acted lawfully and reasonably.”
“He wasn’t just a random Victorian tourist. He and his girlfriend were intercepted by two slightly-built female officers who know from experience that bikies carry weapons,” police inspector Shane Holmes told the Courier-Mail.
“When this gentleman unexpectedly reached into the car, the officers immediately feared for their safety and drew the Taser as a precaution.
READ MORE: Australian police beat detained woman, marched her naked in front of officers – watchdog report
President of the Queensland Police Union, Ian Leavers, also stated that the female officer had acted appropriately.
“Police correctly identified the man as a potential member of a criminal motorcycle gang.
“I fully support them showing extreme caution when they spoke with him as they would not have been certain of whether he was armed.”
Thousands of social media users have voiced support and encouragement to the detained pair instead.
“The fact that someone can be a suspect from nothing more than their appearance is immoral and unjust,” Jack Sheehan commented on Facebook.
“Harassment thats [sic] what that is,” Seth Hita noted.
