A 25 year old Constable from Burnie Police Station will be charged in relation to an incident at Shorewell Park on 26 January 2011 involving the deployment of OC spray on a minor.

Police conducted an internal investigation into the incident and referred the report to the office of the DPP for advice.

The DPP has advised the police officer who administered the OC spray to the 13 year old should be proceeded against.   The Constable will be charged by summons with two counts of Common Assault.

The officer has been assigned to non-operational duties, which means he will not have operational contact with the public pending the outcome of the court proceedings.

A review of the guidelines relating to the use of OC spray is almost complete and the recommendations will be considered shortly.

Scott Tilyard
Deputy Commissioner of Police

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296