An internal investigation by the Western Australia Police has commenced following the circulation of video footage depicting an officer pushing a woman in Broome. The incident has drawn significant attention, prompting scrutiny of police conduct in the region.
The footage, lasting four minutes and recorded from a distance, features 37-year-old Evelyn Sampi alongside three officers who were in the process of restraining a man on the ground in a cul-de-sac on a Tuesday night. As an officer approaches Ms. Sampi, he pushes her, causing her to fall onto the pavement. The officer then moves toward a group of onlookers, while Ms. Sampi rises from the ground.
According to police statements, officers allege that Ms. Sampi was obstructing their efforts to arrest the man, claiming she interfered by grabbing officers from behind during a violent confrontation. They stated that additional officers responded to the scene and physically removed Ms. Sampi, resulting in her fall.
Conversely, Ms. Sampi maintains that her actions were motivated by concern for her relative, who has a mental health condition. She described witnessing her relative struggling against the officers while handcuffed and attempted to advocate for him. “I was saying, ‘Hey, what’s wrong with you? Get off him,’ but they told me to leave him alone and let them do their job,” she recounted.
Police further disclosed that the man being arrested had allegedly become aggressive and had assaulted two officers, leading to minor injuries for them. Ms. Sampi claimed that during her attempt to intervene, another officer threatened her with arrest before forcefully pushing her away, resulting in her nearly hitting her head on a nearby vehicle. She reported injuries to her elbow and back, although police noted that she did not formally report any injuries at the scene.
Glenys Sampi, Ms. Sampi’s mother, stated that she contacted the police for assistance upon noticing her relative’s aggressive behavior. She indicated that the situation intensified after officers arrived and restrained him on the ground with multiple officers involved. Glenys described the moment when her daughter was pushed, leading to her fall, and expressed concern over the police response, questioning the necessity of such force given the circumstances.
In addition to the obstruction charges, Ms. Sampi faces another charge related to possessing drug paraphernalia. The man involved in the incident has been charged with assaulting a public officer. Ms. Sampi is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
Police Minister Reece Whitby acknowledged the incident and confirmed that an internal investigation was underway, although he had not viewed the video. He emphasized the challenges faced by police officers while asserting the importance of maintaining appropriate conduct during their duties.
Ms. Sampi is contemplating legal action against the officer involved in the incident.
