A NSW police officer was captured on video after assaulting an Indigenous Sydney teenager.
Ryan Joseph Barlow was found guilty at Downing Centre court on Monday of assault occasioning bodily harm after he arrested a teenager in Surry Hills in June 2020.
It was reported the senior officer used a controversial leg sweep that was not proportionate, and dismissed all claims of self-defense.
“The risk of danger that Barlow sought to prevent was minimal or non-existent."
“Barlow employed use of force – being the leg sweep – without lawful excuse as provided in legislation.”
This leg sweep is not taught to NSW police but also isn't strictly prohibited.
The altercation only lasted six seconds, drawing national attention.
Barlow along with two other officers were patrolling the area for an unrelated incident, and spotted a group of teens around 5PM.
It was reported the police saw them pull hoods over their heads before walking briskly away.
A verbal altercation broke out, the16-year-old telling Barlow: “I’ll crack your f*****g jaw, bro"
Barlow then told the teen he was under arrest and ordered him to place his arms behind his back, before he spun him twice causing a loss of balance.
He claims the teen tried to kick at him and the other two officers, before he used his leg kick maneuver bringing him to the ground.
It was reported the teen only had 3.02 seconds to comply and Barlow positioned himself on top of the teen with his knee on the boy's knee, despite pleas for him to get off.
When asked to stand up, the teen told officers: “I can’t f*****g stand up. I can‘t feel my f*****g knee.”
The teen remains unnamed, and continuously told Barlow he hadn't threatened police and wouldn't have actually hurt them.
“You didn’t have to hurt me. I turned for you and was getting on the ground.”
The threat made against police wasn't in doubt, however, claims made about the boy having "violently resisted" arrest were doubted.
“The description of violent resistance is simply not accurate. What I have seen in the video simply cannot be described this way.”
Claims the teen had kicked back were also dismissed. Barlow didn't mention the kicking in his report to police or in investigations.
“What is clear in my mind is that the victim’s denial of resisting is corroborated by the video evidence."
It was reported Barlow had refused to make “insignificant concessions” when giving evidence during the hearing, including incorrect assessments of the boy's physique.
He is set to reappear before the same court for sentencing later in the year.
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