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Murri community angered over taser injury

Social media has erupted following a taser incident last week that left a Murri woman permanently blind in her left eye.

taser_17349402_0.jpg
A taser gun used by the police force

2 min read

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Source: NITV News


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Logan mother-of-two Sheila Oakley is still recovering in hospital after being tasered by a police officer at her home last Thursday morning.

Senior police have defended the constable involved who was reportedly a trainer in taser use.

But Miss Oakley's family want the police officer stood down.

"I'd like to see the constable who done this, I'd like to see if stripes are taken off him," brother Joseph Oakley told NITV.

He said the family was considering legal action.

"We've got a lawyer, we'll be looking at more legal advice as well," Mr Oakley said.

Queensland Police have said an investigation will be overseen by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

Shine Lawyers estimated compensation for the case could be worth up to $60,000 but the family said no amount of apology or compensation would bring back Miss Oakley's sight.

Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have been flooded with anger over the incident.

Many public commentators are questioning why four police officers felt threatened by a smaller Aboriginal woman.

Chairman of the Indigenous Legal Justice Agency Murri Watch, Sam Watson, said the Logan community would hold a public meeting tomorrow night to discuss further action.

"This woman and her family are very highly regarded and very highly respected and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the community down there are just outraged, absolutely outraged," he said.

"There have been tensions before between members of the Indigenous community and the police services but this is going to escalate matters and it was totally unnecessary."

The meeting will be held at the Kingston Community Centre in Brisbane.


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