I stand with John, do you? *Trigger Warning - Assault*

[Summer Rose]

John is a disability pensioner from Melbourne who has mental illness. His psychologist was worried about his deteriorating mental health and asked to check on him in September 2017. What happened next, in my opinion, was disturbing, sad, disgraceful and an indictment on the police force. Nothing short of appalling.

John was brutally attacked by officers. He was taunted, humiliated and seriously injured, all under the auspices of the Mental Health Act. Police are empowered by this legislation to use force to take to hospital a person who appears to have a mental illness in order to keep them or others safe.

I watched what actually happened to John on the news this morning and it left me shocked and horrified. What if that was my daughter needing help, needing care, needing support and that was her lying on the ground? I cried. I had to work hard to shake off the numbness I felt.

Now I'm angry and moved to action. I'll be writing to my local MPs today. But I know it's not enough. Does anybody know how we support the "John's" of this world? Is John's story unusual? Has anything like this ever happened to someone you love? Or is it just unusual that his assault was all caught on film and has now been picked up by the media? Does anyone else feel as powerless and sad as I do?

[monkey_magic]

Hi Summer Rose,

I watched what happened to John too, wide eyed i must add. I believe there are many cases of police brutality, this was just caught on film. It was sad that he was subject to this and cruel. He was lying down on the ground for God's sake and they still hit his legs numerous times with the baton and sprayed him with capsicum spray when he wasn't a threat? He didn't look threatening to me surrounded by so many officers lying on the ground unarmed? It all looked ridiculous to me. John seemed weak, not strong and overpowering and they did all of that to him. Poor John or anybody that has been through this sort of unprovoked harm.

[Quercus]

Hi Summer Rose,

Just wanted to congratulate you on your new VC badge and then I saw this thread. Sorry if I'm off on a tangent.

My reaction to the news (apart from turning it off because it freaked me out) was my brain screaming at me... STIGMA. STIGMA. STIGMA!!!

People who haven't experienced a mental illness or cared for a loved one with a MI still find it hard to understand.

We see someone needing help and support and understanding. Others see antisocial behaviour, threats or goodness knows what. I can't help but think the officers probably are just normal people who just lack understanding or training or empathy. That said I have not seen the footage so maybe I'm wrong.

I did want to say when you mentioned feeling hopeless... You've taken two really empowering steps. The first you speak up here. The second... You are a member of blueVoices. I was thinking last night about the first time I asked what bV was and how confusing it seemed. Now I get it is about having a voice. You're not helpless... You join in on activities, answer surveys and questions, talk to people here, contribute lived experiences. Change won't happen until we start speaking up. The more voices the better.

The more we can make people challenge their attitudes towards mental illness the less stigma there will be. Maybe I am living in a dream world... But I want to hope for better.

Nat

[Summer Rose]

Hi Nat

Thanks for the reminder about the power of belonging to bb. I feel a lot better thinking about all the ways bb gives me a voice. We are all making a difference.

What this incident highlighted to me though is that outside our bubble there is still such a long way to go. I expect better, no I demand better, from the police.

Police members receive a lot of training on mental health issues and I'm sure there has been some positive change over the years. But shinning a light on this abhorent incident is a good thing. Hopefully the community pressure will push them further.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Monkey Magic

You and I saw a vulnerable man. Somehow the police saw a threat. How or why is beyond me.

There were so many different ways the encounter with John could have been handled. Hopefully the public airing of the incident will drive change and greater understanding.

[monkey_magic]

Morning Summer Rose,

This seems to have impacted your feelings and i'm not surprised. I have known of many cases where those in power have been negligent so I wasn't that shocked to be honest. They would have known more about John's backstory but I still don't condone what they did at all, it was shocking like you said. I love how you are bringing this to attention and want to be an advocate for change. One persons voice can make a difference as well as the voice of many. Yeah I did see a vulnerable man once that group of police where surrounding him, that would tame/scare most people. Even one officer can be intimidating with their role of authority. He was surrounded and had no escape. Perhaps John had been inside a mental ward before and was actually frightened. And then they go and belittle, and physically hurt him. It's not ok to cause someone pain when they are already in pain and I think John was. John is applying for compensation so we'll see what happens.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Monkey Magic

Your post has really made me think about why I was so badly shocked and saddened. I think it's because I was raised to respect police and have always viewed them as a positive force in the community.

Every encounter I have ever had with a police officer has been positive--they have helped me when I was robbed and comforted me after a horrific traffic accident, eventually successfully prosecuting the drunk driver who hit me. On the odd occasion where I have been at the receiving end of a traffic ticket, the exchange has always been respectful.

I have never felt intimidated or afraid of police. But I am wary now. I have lost something--my faith that if I ever needed the police that I could unconditionally count on them.

I care for my daughter who has a mental health condition. There have been times in the past where I have been concerned for her safety and thought about calling police but thankfully I have been able to resolve the issues before needing to reach out. I would now think long and hard before I ever asked police for help when dealing with a mental health crisis. John's psychologist reached out to the police out of fear for John's safety. Makes me wonder how many psychologists will now think twice before calling police and what impact this will have on people in need.

The thought of compensation for John is appreciated. I just hope any successful action John may achieve helps to restore his dignity and eases his hurt.

Thanks for talking with me. It really helps--more than you know.

[blondguy]

Hi Summer Rose

Thankyou for bring up what John had gone through with Victoria Police. The officers concerned crossed the line (allegedly) where ethics and common decency were concerned through this awful video feed

Compensation is a fair point but dollars cant heal any scars (PTSD) from what he has been through

The best way to communicate directly is email VicPol on ;

Police Conduct Unit
GPO Box 913
Melbourne Vic 3001
E-mail: Police Compliments and Complaints

The link above isnt a 'live' link but it is in the VicPol website as a live link

The person responsible for the officers conduct is;

Chief Commissioner
Graham Ashton AM

The Officers have had 'training' to deal with a person that is suffering from mental illness apparently

Force Command are ultimately responsible for this incident. The officers concerned would be feeling some serious pain and anguish by now Summer Rose...not that will help John of course

My kind thoughts

Paul

[Summer Rose]

Thank you, Paul. Very kind indeed.

I will write to the Chief Commissioner. He is a regular on the Jon Fein ABC morning program (ABC radio) and I was planning to call on the open line. But that's hit and miss.

I did speak with my local State MP today. I got a fair hearing and received empathy and promises of better days to come. Apparently I was not the only person to have raised the issue--and that made me smile. There is hope.

[monkey_magic]

Unfortunately I've experienced the other side of the coin and police have made things worse for me instead of better. There's a lot I could go into like the time they told the man I was living with what I said about him jeopardizing my safety because I hadn't moved out yet. The time they surrounded me trying to make me confess to lighting a fire I didn't light, the time I was wrongly convicted of unlawful entering...the time an officer wasted my time thinking I was doing something wrong because he was suspicious, the time I was drug searched on the side of the road feeling exploited. Police have mental health issues too.

I have also had great experiences with them. But I've heard of many stories of them being wrong too.

Oh that's right I think this was about John.