Victoria Police is investigating if an off-duty police officer was involved in a Ballarat neighbourhood dispute that led to a woman sustaining serious injuries.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ballarat resident Samantha Mitchell, who is a mother of two, was left with swelling and bruising around her left eye following an altercation in the early hours of May 4.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police told The Courier that the incident was the subject of an official investigation.
"We can confirm police are investigating the report of an alleged assault that occurred on Thursday, May 4 in Ballarat about 12.35am involving an off-duty police member," she said.
"As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further.
"No interim action has been taken in relation to the off-duty member."
Ms Mitchell said she made an official complaint in person to Ballarat police the following day at the Dana Street station.
It’s believed the incident took place along a residential street in Ballarat.
Ms Mitchell said she underwent surgery for her facial injuries at Ballarat Base Hospital on Wednesday last week.
The 32-year-old said her injuries included: “a fractured nose in two places that was displaced to the right side of my face, a bruised left eye and cheek, a laceration to my right arm and extensive bruising to my right elbow and forearm area".
Ms Mitchell said she was devastated and had been struggling to cope in the weeks following the incident.
“I’m suffering nightmares and anxiety,” she said.
“I will not go out of the house after dark.”
Official complaints to Victoria Police are made to the Police Conduct Unit.
Most complaints police received involve communication and customer service problems, such as failing to explain protocol clearly.
Ballarat police declined to comment on the investigation and redirected inquiries to the police media unit.
