A video has surfaced of what WA Police describe as an “altercation” on Friday between an officer and the foster mother of the Indigenous woman known as JC, whose death at the hands of a separate officer in 2019 is this week the subject of a coronial inquest.
Tensions have risen in Geraldton as locals in the streets voiced concerns over JC’s death – peaking on Friday, inquest day five, as JC’s foster mother and long-time advocate Anne Jones was injured in the encounter with police as she filmed her 18-year-old grandson being arrested.
Local police have called for calm following the incident, though Superintendent Steve Post admitted the timing could not be worse.
JC, 29, was shot dead in 2019 by First Class Constable Brent Wyndham after she was seen wandering along a Geraldton street alone with a knife and a pair of scissors. Wyndham claimed during evidence at the inquest this week that JC was coming toward him with the knife raised, prompting him to shoot her in the stomach.
He was charged with murder and faced trial in 2021. The jury found him not guilty.
Vision shows an officer tell Jones she may film but to stay back as they arrested the young man after reports of “fighting with poles”.
Moments later Jones falls to the floor, and screaming and yelling from those in the nearby area erupts.
Anne Jones fell to the ground and hit her head. Credit: Nine News Perth
At a hastily called press conference, Post, sitting next to Jones, apologised on behalf of WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch and told media he was very concerned by what he had seen on the footage and had instigated an immediate inquiry.
“During the course of that [arrest], there was an altercation that occurred between the police and Anne, and Anne has fallen to the ground quite heavily and bumped her head,” he said.
“The circumstances of that altercation and that entire incident, from the call to our attendance, will be the subject of an independent investigation which is currently being undertaken.”
Post said the officer involved was still on duty but confined to desk duties until the investigation was concluded.
Jones told media she was still sore after hitting her head on the ground.
She claimed an officer pushed her in the chest.
“As I was singing out for [my grandson] to get in the van, to cooperate with them, that was when one of the officers walked around and just pushed me and over I went,” she said.
“I fell backwards, because he pushed me backwards and knocked me off-balance. I just went back and hurt my spine and ended up with a big lump on my head.”
Jones has been a vocal advocate for justice for JC and has heavily criticised the police for their handling of her death.
On Friday, after she was hurt, Post called for calm.
“We sat down and had a long conversation with Anne and I can assure Anne and the family that we have listened, we have heard what she has to say,” he said.
“We are sorry for what has happened to you today and that’s not pre-empting anything that may come out of the investigation.
“I’m sorry that you were injured this morning. No one wants that kind of outcome.”
Post said Jones’ grandson was arrested after there were reports he was holding a weapon.
“The irony of it happening today, it’s really quite devastating,” he said.
“They’re two unrelated situations, but it shouldn’t have happened.”
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