Media release – Tasmania Police, 6 September 2024
Police officer to appear in court
A Southern District police officer will appear in court this morning after being arrested overnight for family violence offences.
He will appear in court charged with strangulation in relation to an alleged family violence incident.
As is the usual process, he will be stood down from duty.
It is not appropriate to comment further at this stage.
Taskforce Scelus members charge 128 people with 237 offences
Western police have charged 128 people with 237 individual offences over the past three months.
As part of Taskforce Scelus police seized 8 firearms, $45,000 in cash, quantities of methylamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, and cannabis, and $5000 worth of stolen property over between mid-June and late August, 2024.
Taskforce members searched 23 properties and 59 vehicles – seizing 4.
Over the three months, police also conducted numerous targeted traffic operations, charging 4 drink drivers, 11 drivers with evading police and detecting 52 positive drug drivers with a range of positive results for ice, cannabis and opiates.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said the taskforce remained focused on targeting a range of offences including drug and firearm-related crime, and traffic offences.
“Our goal is to reduce crime broadly within our community,” she said.
“Since November last year when the taskforce was established, we have recovered both dangerous firearms and illicit substances that have no place in our community.
“If you have information about criminal activity in Tasmania, you can contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously via crimestopperstas.com.au.”
Police investigating circumstances of man sustaining serious injuries in New Town
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of a man being located with serious injuries in New Town this morning.
“About 2.50am the man was located unconscious on Swanston Street,” said Detective Inspector David Gill.
“The man, aged in his 50s, was transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he remains in a critical condition undergoing surgery for serious injuries to his torso and neck area.”
Swanston Street, between Risdon Road and Cross Street, was closed while police investigated the scene. The road is now re-opened.
“A police investigation is ongoing to determine how the man sustained his injuries.”
“At this stage police are investigating a number of possibilities including the man being the victim of an assault or struck by a vehicle.”
“If anyone has any information in relation to how the man was injured, or suspicious activities in the area around the time, I ask them to come forward.”
Information can be provided to Hobart CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 (info can be provided anonymously) – quote reference OR753223.
