A review of policing operations has begun on the Gold Coast after four police officers were allegedly either punched or scratched during three separate incidents over the Easter long weekend.
On Saturday night, two officers were injured in Surfers Paradise when they intervened in a brawl between a group of men that began inside an Orchid Avenue nightclub and spilled out onto the street.
Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said a senior constable was breaking up a fight between two men when he was allegedly struck by a third man.
"That officer lost consciousness for a period of time.
"Luckily, the officer has not sustained any significant injuries, but a very, very close call."
The 21-year-old man was charged with serious assault and obstruct police and could face a prison term of up to seven years if found guilty.
Police said a second senior constable was knocked unconscious during the incident, but no-one was charged because a review of CCTV footage deemed it accidental.
On Sunday night in Surfers Paradise, a 34-year-old senior constable was allegedly punched by a 28-year-old Victorian man outside the same Orchid Avenue nightclub while police were checking him for concealed weapons.
"[The officer] has been admitted to Pindara Hospital to undergo a number of scans and MRIs," Acting Chief Superintendent Wildman said.
The senior constable is expected to be released from hospital today.
Acting Chief Superintendent Wildman said both incidents were being reviewed.
"We always review incidents, especially 'use of force' incidents," he said.
"We have to remember that with these types of disturbances that occur in a public place they're often very dynamic in nature.
"The officers often have to rely on close-quarter tactics to break the parties apart and de-escalate the situation."
Drink driving
A male police officer received a minor injury when he was allegedly assaulted by a 27-year-old Surfers Paradise woman in Jacobs Well on Sunday night.
Acting Chief Superintendent Wildman said the woman recorded a high-range blood alcohol reading and lashed out at police while in custody.
The woman was charged with assault police, driving whilst UIL, and obstruct police.
Police conducted more than 1,600 random breath tests on the Gold Coast between 6am on Thursday and 5pm on Monday.
"Unfortunately we identified 40 drink drivers," Acting Chief Superintendent Wildman said.
"Five of those were in the high range, so that's over 0.150mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood."
The highest reading was 0.289 and that involved a 40-year-old man who was stopped by police on Saturday night on Scottsdale Drive, Robina.
"That's nearly six times the legal limit, and … the potential risk not only to himself but other road users just boggles the mind," Acting Chief Superintendent Wildman said.
