Geraldton police officer assault: Sen. Const. Adam Kelly displeased with lack of support from WA Police Union

A Geraldton police officer who had to have his nose forced back into place after being allegedly kicked in the head by a woman during an arrest in Geraldton last week says he’s “peeved off” with a lack of support from the WA Police Union.

One week after copping serious facial injuries attempting to control a melee involving about 20 people on Marine Terrace, Senior Constable Adam Kelly said he’s displeased with the union.

“I’m peeved off with the police union ... there’s been no calls to check on me,” he said.

“It’s almost like this never happened because they haven’t approached the government to again ask for better pay because of the increased assaults.”

Officers including Sen. Const. Kelly attended an outdoor area on Marine Terrace close to Geraldton’s Youth Precinct on Wednesday, December 28, where about 20 people were allegedly fighting each other.

It is alleged Sian Glenica Judith Joyce Calyun, 22, kicked Sen. Const. Kelly in the head while he was on the ground arresting a man known to her.

Sen. Const. Kelly was rushed to hospital to treat a 3cm laceration to his right eyebrow and a fractured nose.

He visited a Perth surgeon on Wednesday, January 4, fearing the injuries could have long-term repercussions.

“I’m a little bit concerned because I do free-diving and diving and it could affect it,” he said.

“They numbed my nose and basically used a medical instrument to force the bone back into place.”

Sen. Const. Kelly said when he returned home after the alleged assault, his seven-month-old boy was afraid and didn’t recognise him, while he was anxious being seen in public.

“I kept my sunglasses on, but I had to buy some new ones,” he said.

Sen. Const. Kelly said since moving to Geraldton 15 months ago, the community had been welcoming but felt on this occasion it had “gotten out of control”.

“I’m feeling a little bit scarred. I’m going to chat with some psychologists ... I’m feeling pretty good and upbeat considering. I have a lot of support,” he said.

Sen. Const. Kelly said he’d spent the past week resting and recovering and thanked the community for their support, including Police Commissioner Col Blanch and Police Minister Paul Papalia who had both contacted him personally.

“The community really do support us where they can and they understand we have a tough job,” he said.

WA Police Union acting president Paul Gale said the union spoke with Sen. Const. Kelly and continued to support the health and welfare of members and fight for better pay conditions for police officers.

“That’s why we included in our log of claims a year-on-year pay increase of 5 per cent, launched a public relations campaign which resulted in the receipt of a pay offer after 222 days of political impasse — which the Police Commissioner Col Blanch described as “a very successful campaign” — why we are currently surveying our members about what industrial action they are prepared to undertake in the new year,” he said.

Mid West-Gascoyne Superintendent Steve Post said he had noticed an increase in assaults in recent weeks and hoped the community would act respectfully to avoid harm and future consequences.

“I’m disappointed to see in recent weeks the officers in this district have been subject to assaults while going about their duty to protect the community,” he said.

“We will pursue charges against people who assault police officers and put them before the courts to be dealt with appropriately.”

Between January and September 2022, 74 assaults against police were reported in the Mid West-Gascoyne, a 72 per cent increase on the same period the year before (43 assaults) and 23 per cent higher than 2020 (60 assaults).