The Police Association of New South Wales (PANSW) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the circulation of a video clip showing an interaction between officers and a member of the public in Penrith. The video, which was widely shared on social media earlier this week, depicts a male police officer pushing a man and using profanity. The officers involved were responding to concerns from a business owner and members of the public on High Street who reported feeling threatened by the man.

Kevin Morton, president of the PANSW, argued that the video presented an incomplete picture of the incident. He stated that the man in question had been verbally abusive toward the officers, including repeatedly calling a female officer a derogatory term not captured in the clip. Morton also highlighted that a young homeless family nearby was frightened during the situation and had thanked the officers afterward. According to Morton, the officers went beyond their duties by purchasing a meal for the family using their own money.

Morton described the officers’ actions as an example of “true community policing” and criticized the negative reaction on social media, suggesting many commentators were unaware of the full context. He also expressed disappointment over the response from public figures such as high-profile boxer Billy Dib, who posted on Instagram challenging the male officer to a fight, urging him to “drop the badge, drop the gun” and face a real fighter.

Federal Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh, who has publicly called for a review of the incident, disclosed that she had written to the Nepean police commander, the NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley, and state Labor MP Karen McKeown, who also requested that the matter be examined. McIntosh defended her actions as part of her responsibility to represent community concerns, stating the level of local worry had been significant. She added that allegations of misconduct had been forwarded to the officer’s command and that she was awaiting a response from the Police Minister. McIntosh committed to keeping her constituents informed about the outcome of her inquiries.

In response to criticisms of political involvement, Morton accused some politicians of using the viral videos to raise their profiles, calling the practice “grandstanding” and emphasizing the challenges faced by police officers in their work. The differing views underscore ongoing tensions over the interpretation of police conduct in public and social media responses. The review process of the incident remains ongoing.