Two police officers are currently hospitalised, while a third received on-scene treatment, following a violent incident at a watch house near Brisbane involving a syringe.
Reports indicate that the disturbance occurred at the Redcliffe Police Station, where an arrested individual had been detained. The first officer was allegedly choked to the point of near unconsciousness before being stabbed in the neck with a syringe. A second officer attempted to intervene but was also pricked with the same syringe on two occasions.
Both injured officers were transported to Redcliffe Hospital, where they are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. This incident surfaces amidst ongoing concerns regarding overcrowding in Queensland’s watch houses, particularly due to a significant number of corrections prisoners — individuals refused bail or awaiting return to jail after court appearances. The suspect in this case is also a corrections prisoner.
The Queensland Police Union expressed concerns over the incident, highlighting that the assailant should have been transferred to a proper corrective services facility instead of being held in a watch house. Union president Shane Prior condemned the assault, noting the severe health risks associated with being pricked by a syringe, as it raises fears of potential disease transmission.
The accused was reportedly held at the watch house for less than 24 hours prior to the attack. Notably, there are currently no reported issues with the capacity at the Redcliffe watch house. A third officer was present during the altercation but did not sustain any injuries. Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man remains in police custody, uninjured.
Authorities have reached out to Queensland Corrective Services for further comments regarding this incident.