By Scarlett Richards
Two New South Wales police officers have been charged with assault after allegedly injuring a 92-year-old man while arresting him in January.
Ronald Hodge was admitted to hospital suffering a broken arm and serious bruising to his head and arms in the alleged incident.
Emergency services were called to Hodge's home by his wife, who rang 000 twice to report a domestic violence incident.
NSW police commissioner Karen Webb said it was likely Hodge's wife suffered from dementia and it was "too hard to say" whether a domestic incident had taken place.
After an internal investigation, "we've charged two police officers with assault, from today they have been suspended from duty," Webb said on Thursday.
The officers, a constable and senior constable, face charges of assault and assault causing actual bodily harm. The charges carry a maximum jail time of 5 years.
"What the court will need to determine is whether there was any excessive force used," Webb said.
She added she remains confident in the level of training officers receive in dealing with cases involving mental health and the elderly.
"Where something is questionable and we have concerns about the conduct of an officer, we will take action."
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the incident was a very serious matter and "my thoughts are with the man and his family".
"The NSW Police Force respond to tens of thousands of these calls for service each year. In almost all instances they do so professionally.
"In the rare cases where the response does not meet the expected standard, it is investigated and action is taken."
