Police Union supports South West officer charged with Bunbury Hospital assault

The WA Police Union said it would provide ongoing support to the South West District police officer allegedly involved in assaulting a man in Bunbury Hospital after a car crash. Sen. Const. Daniel John Douglas, 32, appeared in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where he pleaded not guilty to one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm in relation to an alleged incident at the hospital on April 14. It is alleged Const. Douglas was on duty when he assaulted the 28-year-old man who had been involved in a car crash the night before. The alleged victim had been involved in a single vehicle traffic crash on South Western Highway when his car ran off the side of the road into bush just before midnight on April 13. He had been required to accompany police to take a breath test but was first taken to Bunbury Hospital for treatment to minor hand injuries he received from the crash, when the alleged assault occurred. WA Police Union president Harry Arnott said the union was assisting Const. Douglas throughout the matter. “This is an on duty matter, we are supporting this experienced officer and we stand by him 100 per cent,” Mr Arnott said. “We are disappointed our member was charged in the first instance. Const. Douglas, pictured, has since been stood down from operational duties and is set to face trial in January on the assault occasioning bodily harm charge.