A POLICE officer was bashed at Mission Beach in front of a crowd that included a woman who yelled "get him, get him, punch the copper" while she took photos.
The attack on acting Sen-Constable Glen Buckle on Saturday night has sparked calls from the Queensland Police Union for an urgent review into police numbers and pleas from officers to work in pairs.
Sen-Constable Buckle was repeatedly kicked and punched in the head and yesterday told The Cairns Post that he believed his specialist training in the police academy had helped save him from being seriously injured.
"This exposes the dangers of police officers being required to work on their own in areas where back-up is not readily available," QPU president Ian Leavers said, as he called for an urgent review of staffing levels at Mission Beach.
"We would also say that we are, perhaps, very fortunate that because of this officer's high level of training and skills that he is still alive."
Sen-Constable Buckle was allegedly repeatedly punched and kicked in the face by a man who he tried to arrest after he left a bar holding a glass of beer in Porter Promenade, about 7.30pm on Saturday.
On relief at Mission Beach for six weeks, the Cairns-based officer had been asked to patrol a licensed venue when he approached the man to tell him he would be charged with public nuisance before he was allegedly attacked.
He was punched in the face three to four times before he was able to throw the man to the ground.
But as he tried to handcuff the man, a woman who, it is thought, is related to the man, jumped on his back.
He was then allegedly kicked in the back of the head several times.
A crowd including the publican watched the attack.
The incident ended when another man, believed to be the alleged attacker's father, told him to stop fighting.
"I've had people throw punches but this one was slightly different - he was serious," said Sen-Constable Buckle, an officer from the Far Northern tactical crime squad.
"I knew I had to take control of the situation as soon as possible.
"I'm a little bit surprised that members of the public didn't assist."
Sen-Constable Buckle was later taken to Tully Hospital.
Mr Leavers said Mission Beach police station should not be manned by two officers and said the attack showed the level of staffing was potentially dangerous for officers.
A 30-year-old Mission Beach man has been charged with committing public nuisance, obstructing a police officer and serious assault.
He is due to appear inInnisfail Magistrates' Court today.
Other charges are expected to be laid in relation to the assault.
