UPDATE 4.35pm: Victoria Police say an internal review into the arrest of a 12-year-old boy at Bendigo railway station found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers involved.
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A Victoria Police spokesperson said their organisation received no complaints about the incident on Friday, October 6.
The boy in question was still yet to be interviewed but police were in contact with his family.
But the spokesperson stood by the actions of the police and PSOs involved, saying they “acted appropriately in the circumstances”.
Asked if police were provided specific training in relation to the arrest of minors, Victoria Police did not comment.
However, the spokesperson said officers were trained to avoid confrontation and the use of force.
“If required, the minimum amount of force is used to ensure the safety of all involved,” the spokesperson said.
EARLIER: Victoria’s leading advocacy group for young people has added its voice to calls for a full investigation into the arrest of a 12-year-old boy in Bendigo this month, saying police needed better training to deal with children.
Youth Affairs Council Victoria chief executive officer Leo Fieldgrass last week penned a letter to the head of Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, asking for a full investigation into the arrest.
Police and protective service officers were responding to reports of criminal damage at Bendigo railway station on October 6 when they arrested a 12-year-old boy.
Passer-by Danni Wattie captured footage of the arrest and posted her video online. In the video, a police officer tells onlookers the boy was autistic; Victoria Police later confirmed this was not the case.
In his letter to the chief commissioner, Mr Fieldgrass described treatment of the boy as “distressing”.
“The child involved was very young and clearly distressed.”
“While we agree that police work is dangerous and challenging, and officers must protect themselves and the community, we know there are better ways of dealing with challenging or risky behaviour by young people than resorting to harsh physical force.
His organisation backed calls from the Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre, which last week decried the police officers’ force as “disproportionate”, for an independent investigation into the incident.
The letter also explained young people who come in contact with the police are often victims of trauma or abuse and neglect. Almost one-third have a mental health problem, Mr Fieldgrass wrote.
“Such factors impact on young people’s behaviour and how they may act when the police are called,” the letter said.
“It’s critical that police members have the skills to communicate effectively with children and young people who are vulnerable or at risk, and deescalate situations.
“No one wins if young people – and the wider community – come to see the police as untrustworthy and frightening.”
Mr Fieldgrass offered police YAC support to improve their relationship with young people.
Victoria Police were contacted for comment.