A WA police officer has been found guilty of unlawfully detaining and assaulting a woman during a chaotic arrest more than three years ago.
Alister Swift, 33, had been on trial in the WA District Court accused of using excessive force against the woman, including forcing her to the ground, dragging her across the floor and kicking her in the foot.
The events happened in January 2020, when Swift, who was then a first-class constable, and his partner were called to the woman's Cloverdale home amid reports of a domestic dispute and concerns about her welfare.
The court was told the woman, who was highly agitated and screaming, refused to give police the correct spelling of her name, prompting Swift to decide to arrest her under the Mental Health Act.
He then pushed her into a bedroom and handcuffed her.
Prosecutor Peter Phillips alleged Swift was motivated by anger, and after forcing her to the ground, he dragged her across the floor for about three metres.
The court heard at one point, Swift's partner had told him he was "out of line" while the woman was heard referring to him as "a bully".
The partner at one stage had also removed the woman's handcuffs, but Swift then reapplied them and later tightened them.
Woman suffered bruises, swelling
The kicking to the foot was alleged to have happened when Swift was trying to get her into the back of the police vehicle.
The court was told as a result of Swift's actions, the woman suffered bruising and swelling to her wrist, hand, ribs, forearms and legs.
Mr Swift, who was charged after a police internal investigation, denied any wrongdoing.
In his evidence to the court, he maintained he had a valid reason for deciding to arrest the woman, describing her behaviour as volatile, aggressive and escalating.
Mr Swift said he also feared there was a risk of him, the woman's partner or his colleague being assaulted.
He denied that the level of force he used was excessive and unreasonable.
"I used as little force as required … I was using minimal force," he told the court.
Mr Swift, who was stood aside when he was charged in 2020, has been released on bail and will be sentenced on June 9.
