Just two days ago I wrote about the horrendous decision by Geelong police to charge a taxi driver who scared the crap out of five dropkicks who egged his car.

The teenager that egged the car was let off with a caution.

The perpetrator getting off so lightly in this case is symptomatic of a much wider problem between the police force and the Australian court system. Simply put, it’s not worth the police dragging the egger into court as he’ll most likely be let off scott free or told to write a letter of apology to the taxi driver (who’ll probably be in jail by that point).

The above could just be dismissed as speculation on my part. I’m sure there’s more then one bleeding heart out there who’d happily cry about the young man’s right to drive around egging cars unhindered.

Of course then there’s the actions of the courts themselves proving such speculation correct time and time again. The Australian court system has our entire police force over a barrel…

…and they’re not using any lubrication.

Last year student Henry Grech got into an argument with Constable Adam Royds at Bondi Junction. No idea what it was about but being a student Grech was probably drunk or whatever, words were exchanged and Grech later found himself in court for calling Constable Royds a ‘prick’.

The outcome?

Waverley Local Court magistrate Robbie Williams wasn’t satisfied that a “reasonable person” would be offended by the word prick in general conversation.

“A police officer on a number of occurrences would hear words like this used on a much worse scale. Police officers would be used to this type of language.”


Sorry, but WHAT?

Since when were police ‘reasonable people’? And before anyone chimes in, no I don’t mean that in a sense that police are unreasonable. Why the hell is the court system comparing police officers to your average Joe Blow?

I’m not saying we need to put police on some pedestal but there’s surely a general consensus that that police officers are deserving of some level of respect out there whilst they’re doing their…y’know, jobs?

You try calling someone a prick in any other service role and see what kind of reaction you get. Not offended my arse. Maybe a few mates having a beer wouldn’t mind but nobody in any professional environment ever, let alone whilst on the job should have to put up with being called a prick.

It’s just not on.

With rulings like this it any wonder Australian police are reluctant to drag people into court? The next time you get caught throwing eggs at moving vehicles throw in a few ‘pricks’ at the officers who stop you and write out a caution ticket. Bloody brilliant move there by the courts and way to further castrate our police force. So planted firmly are the police’s tails between their legs that they’re not even going to appeal the decision.

Police prosecutors are unlikely to appeal against Mr Williams’ decision.


They know as much as the everyone else that appealing atrocious legal decisions against police made by our court system is simply a lost cause.

God help the Friday and Saturday night patrols… I can see every drunk running around our CBDs yelling prick at any cop that walks past.

Respect of the police force, especially the officers on the beat should be ingrained into our society and at the very least instilled via the court system. Sure there might be corruption probes and what not higher up but we’re talking about the guys and girls who you rely on when you dial 000. These are the people who put their life on the line by responding to any and all call outs night after night.

They don’t deserve and shouldn’t have to expect to be called a prick whilst doing their job. Nobody should.

Senior Constable Royds stopped Mr Grech on the station’s concourse area on November 5 last year after Mr Grech allegedly jumped a barrier.

The pair had an aggressive exchange of words before Mr Grech told the officer that he would “see him in court” if he continued to harass him.

Mr Grech then called Senior Constable Royds “a prick”.

Mr Grech, who is student at the University of NSW, said he was surprised the matter had been taken to court.

“I’m happy I got off.”


Grech’s words sum up the situation perfectly. Even he knows he ‘got off’ for doing something wrong and idiots and idiot decisions like this are why the police can’t and don’t do their job properly.

And what kind of moron threatens to see someone in court and then declares he’s surprised the matter was taken to court?

This decision by the Australian court system is appalling and only further highlights the complete lack of backing of our police force by the judicial system. At the very least Adam Royds deserves an apology and ruling that deters people from abusing the police.

The only pricks in this story are Henry Grech and Robbie Williams, the magistrate who handed down the decision.



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