Gemma Todd, a dedicated Police Auxiliary Officer (PAO) at the Perth Watch House, regularly faces volatile detainees, unpredictable behaviour, and physically demanding situations. Over her career, she has sustained serval injuries, including one particularly severe incident that left a lasting impact on her both professionally and personally.
MAJOR INCIDENT: KICKED IN THE FACE
One of the most distressing incidents Gemma endured occurred while moving an aggressive detainee into a cell. The detainee, who was combative and making threats, turned on officers and began spitting on them. As Gemma and her colleagues attempted to safely restrain the detainee, she recoiled her leg and kicked Gemma twice – first in the shin, causing immediate
swelling and bruising, and then with full force to the face. The detainee’s heel struck Gemma’s eye socket, leaving her disoriented and in significant pain. Despite her injury, Gemma
continued to hold the detainee’s leg, ensuring the safety of her colleagues. The following morning, Gemma woke up with a black eye, neck pain, and persistent dizziness. She was taken to Joondalup Emergency Medical Ward, where she was placed on spinal precautions for several hours due to concerns over neck injuries. Eventually, she was diagnosed with a concussion and whiplash. The recovery process was gruelling. Although Gemma took a week and a half off work, she returned sooner rather than she should have, still experiencing headaches, neck pain, and light sensitivity. Even daily activities, such as walking her dog or attending basketball games, became difficult. At work, she wore a baseball cap to shield her eyes from bright lights. The emotional toll was compounded by frustration of the legal outcome – despite assaulting five officers that night, the detainee negotiated a plea deal, and the charges related to Gemma’s assault were dropped.
OTHER INCIDENTS AND INJURIES
Crushed Arm
During a struggle, a detainee pushed back, crushing Gemma’s arm against a doorway, causing significant damage.
Scratches and Broken Skin
While restraining a detainee during a strip search, the detainee dug her nails into Gemma’s arm, breaking the skin and drawing blood. On another occasion, Gemma received scratches during altercations with a flailing detainee.
Spitting Assault
During a cell transfer, a detainee spat on Gemma’s vest, shirt, and arms, adding to the indignities PAOs endure.
Bruised Knee and Hand
While restraining a detainee who appeared to be a state of psychosis, Gemma fell on her knee, causing swelling and bruising. The detainee also injured her hand, by landing heavily on it, leaving her with a large bruise by the following morning.
THE TOLL OF PAOs SERVICE
Gemma’s experiences are a stark reminder of the dangers and challenges faced by PAOs in environments like the Perth Watch House. Officers like Gemma frequently deal with detainees who are violent, mentally unstable, or unwilling to comply, often putting themselves in harm’s way to maintain order and ensure the safety of others. Despite the physical pain and emotional strain, Gemma continues to perform her duties with unwavering dedication. Her resilience exemplifies the commitment of Police Auxiliary Officers, whose work often gets unrecognised but remains an essential cornerstone to the safety and security of the WA community.
