In an insightful interview, Senior Constable Anthea Beck recounted the disturbing events of October 2021, when she and her partner were called to the Exeter Hotel due to a dispute involving face masks. The aggressor, Raina Cruise, known for her strong anti-vaccine stance, violently assaulted Beck, who was ten weeks pregnant at that time.
Beck described the attack as sudden and without warning, stating, “(There was) immediate hostility, there was no lead up, there was no warning.” Cruise unexpectedly struck Beck, knocking off her hat, and seized a handful of her hair, pulling her down to the ground.
Despite being found guilty of the assault, Cruise initially received a suspended sentence, which meant she would not serve jail time. Beck expressed her discontent with this outcome, asserting that a suspended sentence did not meet the expectations of society in cases involving assaults on police officers. Following an appeal, a custodial sentence was ultimately imposed, which brought Beck a sense of relief and satisfaction. “It sends a message to the community that if you assault an emergency worker, you can expect a custodial sentence,” she remarked.
The attack caused significant injuries to Beck, which were captured on body camera footage. Despite the trauma, she remains committed to her role as a police officer, acknowledging that while the job has its difficulties, it is generally fulfilling. She expressed hope that the resolution of her case would bring closure to her ongoing journey.
Initially, Beck was concerned about the potential impact of the stress from the attack on her unborn child. Fortunately, her daughter, Marcella, was born healthy and happy, alleviating her worries. Beck’s story highlights the challenges faced by emergency workers and the importance of accountability for assaults against them.