Video of attack on police officers goes viral: “That is forbidden”

There are wild scenes that can be seen on video: an aggressive trio has a police officer in a stranglehold in the doorway of an apartment building, who tries to free himself with punches. His colleague shouts at the rabid trio to stop, is pulled by the hair and can’t really help her colleague. At some point the officer finally manages to break away. He pulls out the pepper spray and the door is slammed in his face. He leans against a staircase, still a little dazed. The video stops.

This all happened in Braunau a few days ago. What cannot be seen on the video: Shortly afterwards, officers from several patrols and a rapid intervention group (SIG) arrest the trio. A 36-year-old is reported, a 38-year-old and a 44-year-old are taken to the prison. The two will sit there until the charges are filed, says public prosecutor Alois Ebner in response to OÖN’s request. The investigation is into serious bodily harm and resistance to state authority. Depending on your previous convictions, these offenses can result in up to three or five years in prison.

“This could get expensive”

But the incident also has other consequences: the video violates personal and data protection rights. “It is forbidden to distribute such a video”, clarifies district police commander Stefan Haslberger. If you send it on without thinking, it could be expensive. You will “in any case check and follow up”says Haslberger. Everyone in the video is free to file a complaint.

How should the eyewitnesses have behaved in this case? “Ask whether you can support the police. Because even if police officers are attacked, there is the right to emergency aid”says Haslberger.

Haslberger doesn’t understand criticism that the police officers reacted too laxly: “A noise disturbance was reported to us. This happens every day in the district. The patrol only knew the location, drove there and was attacked”, he says. Officials don’t have batons with them “Drawing the gun is also not proportionate. Then there would have been even more criticism”said the police chief. Pepper spray was used, but was unable to subdue the trio, who were clearly impaired by drugs. “The incident will of course be discussed internally and any mistakes will be learned from; we are also a learning organization”, he says. The two relatively young officers were injured in the attack. Nevertheless, they are both back on duty.

Respect has fallen

The aggressiveness towards the police is increasing – especially when drugs are involved. “The inhibition threshold drops, but the respect for people acting in official capacity has also fallen”the police chief observed.

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