Ex cop outlines night of 'brutality' in appeal for support

”I witnessed many people being violently assaulted that night. Soon I began coughing and struggling to breathe – police had deployed pepper spray into the crowd. Around me were shocked, distressed, choking men and women, many elderly. I felt unsafe and desperate to leave.”

In an emotional address to Monday night’s Wollongong City Council meeting, former NSW police officer Therese Wolfe gave councillors her first-hand account of what she experienced on February 9 when she joined thousands of others at Sydney Town Hall to protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

“The testimony I share tonight is a condensed version of one I submitted to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission regarding police brutality against peaceful protestors,” Therese told the council meeting.

Her personal account, during council’s public access forum, was in support of an urgency motion moved later in the meeting by Greens Cr Kit Docker, related to the rights of community members to peacefully protest. That motion was ultimately defeated, but not before members of council were given a graphic description of what Therese Wolfe described as the night she witnessed “an assault on democracy itself”.

Therese, aged 62, served with the NSW Police Force for 14 years, attaining the rank of senior constable before leaving to raise her family. She travelled to Sydney to protest with her recently retired husband, Dave, 64, who served 40 years in the NSW Fire Brigade. They were joined by Therese’s sister, Belinda.

Behaviour 'like criminals'

Therese and her husband Dave, from Corrimal, said they’d never witnessed anything like the “brutal behaviour” from police that night. “All the aggression and violence that night came from police,” Therese told The Illawarra Flame. “It was criminal. They behaved like criminals.”

Speaking to council, Therese described the rally as “peaceful” until about 7pm after the speeches ended. At that time, the crowd moved on to George Street.

“Almost immediately, it became clear we could move no further,” she told council. “Large numbers of police formed lines around us. Without warning, the police line marched forward, pushing people into a tighter space.

“That night I wore a splint on my arm, due to a recent fracture, and was walking slowly. I did not want to fall.

“While chanting with the crowd, I was suddenly shoved violently in the back by a male officer. The force nearly knocked me off my feet. I was frightened of falling.

“My husband and I moved onto the footpath, searching for a way out. Police lines blocked every direction. I was forcefully shoved by another officer’s elbow as he lashed out and rammed me into a street bin, jolting my stomach. He also pushed my sister in the back.

Desperate to leave

“I witnessed many people being violently assaulted that night. Soon I began coughing and struggling to breathe – police had deployed pepper spray into the crowd. Around me were shocked, distressed, choking men and women, many elderly. I felt very unsafe and desperate to leave.

“Police continued yelling 'move' while advancing with force and intimidation. There was no attempt at negotiation or safe crowd control or dispersal.”

Therese told the meeting she felt relief as rally organisers helped disperse the crowd.

“Until minutes later, screaming erupted behind us. I saw people running, eyes red, pouring water over their faces. Behind them, a large group of police ran in pursuit. As they caught slower civilians, some people deployed pepper spray.

“Police then halted and formed into an attack formation line across the entire street, including the footpath, five to 10 officers deep. Frontline officers shook spray cans, ready to surge again. This was frightening to watch.

“To get away, we turned into Pitt Street, walking steadily arm in arm along the footpath close to the shopfronts.

“Behind me, I heard police in the line yell 'ready – go!'

“Suddenly, I felt a violent thrust in my back and heard police yell 'too slow!'

“My husband and I were slammed with great force into the glass wall of an office/shop. People on the other side of the glass watched in horror. I was shaking and in shock.

“Nearby, a frail, elderly man – around 85 – had been rammed and fallen. We helped him up. He stood pale and trembling, visibly distressed.

“His terrified face remains etched in my memory – and in that moment, I wanted to cry.”

Therese said that as a proud, former law enforcement officer, she was ashamed of the behaviour she witnessed that night.

“I witnessed NSW Police attack peaceful protestors and violently chase people who were calmly walking away on the footpath.

'Fear and chaos on the streets'

“Their unprovoked aggression and violence created this fear and chaos on the streets of Sydney.

“I no longer view this organisation as worthy of my trust or community safety. I am ashamed to say I ever wore the uniform. I am particularly appalled at the level of male officer violence perpetrated on women, and the elderly.

“This lawless, undisciplined mob behaviour was not isolated to one or two rogue officers. It was a direction for all NSW Police officers there that night.

“Most shameful of all were comments the next day from government leaders supporting police conduct. Premier Minns stated in parliament 'police did what we asked them to do'.

“To attack thousands of citizens exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest is not law enforcement. It is an assault on democracy itself.”

Speaking after the meeting, husband Dave Wolfe said he had been to many protests before “but I’ve never seen police behave like that before. They were spoiling for a blue. They were fixated.”

Therese said she was sure many officers on the night would have been “appalled“ by the behaviour of their colleagues. “'I was just following orders' is not a defence.”

She hopes that during the investigation, there will be police from the event who will come forward and tell it like it was. “'This is not what I signed up for' they should be saying.”

Urgency 'is about timing'

In his urgency motion at Monday’s meeting, Cr Docker said “the urgency to debate this motion tonight is warranted … this urgency is about timing.

“It is about responding while the distress, the concern, independent investigation of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the public conversation are current, not weeks later when the opportunity for timely response passed.”

Cr Docker’s motion was voted down 8-4, Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown saying she didn't believe Wollongong’s council chambers should be used to debate state, national or global matters.

Councils 'have duty of care'

Expressing her disappointment, Therese Wolfe said: “I would think police brutality is a concern for every citizen, and especially councils who have a duty of care for their citizens.”

Also disappointed, Cr Docker said he felt it was the responsibility of councillors to “represent the many community members who faced first-hand the brutality of the police response at the Sydney Town Hall protests on February 9.

“Procedural issues should not stand in the way of a level of government addressing such a pressing issue. Especially when it pertains to serious issues about our democracy.”

Footnote: At the same time on Monday night when Wollongong's councillors voted against discussing the urgent motion on the right for peaceful protest, Sydney City Council voted unanimously to:

• Affirm its commitment to protect and support the right to peaceful protest, which is fundamental in a democratic society;
• Condemn use of disproportionate policing practices against protestors; and
• Commit to support the community’s right to peacefully protest in the city.