From the Australian Jewish News:

Assault victim files historic complaint against police
Melissa Singer

AN Orthodox man who was physically and verbally attacked by a group of footballers last October has filed a historic complaint against Victoria Police with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC).

Menachem Vorchheimer, who suffered antisemitic abuse and an assault that left him with facial injuries as he walked to shul on Simchat Torah (October 14), has claimed that an off-duty police officer who was present during the attack, and by extension his employer, authorised and assisted the racial vilification against him.

The off-duty officer was driving the minibus carrying around 20 players from Ocean Grove Football Club when at least one of the passengers yelled antisemitic abuse at Vorchheimer.

Vorchheimer approached the bus for an apology, but had his hat and kippa taken from his head by another player. Both men have reportedly admitted their part in the incident. However, police have not identified a third player, who allegedly struck Vorchheimer across the face.

In his complaint to HREOC, Vorchheimer wrote: “It was the behaviour that [the officer] encouraged, authorised and assisted that … incited the subsequent physical assault that left me with significant injury.”

It is believed to be the first HREOC complaint of its kind against the Victoria Police.

The off-duty officer is currently also under investigation by the police’s Ethical Standards Department (ESD), which will determine whether his attempts to move the bus from the scene constituted responsible conduct.

Detective Superintendent Rod Wilson, who is heading the ESD’s investigation, said the off-duty officer told the ESD that he tried to silence the players shouting the abuse at Vorchheimer.

He told the AJN this week that both the criminal and internal investigations into the matter were still being reviewed by the Office of Public Prosecutions and the Office of Police Integrity, respectively.

The findings in both matters are expected in early February, with criminal charges likely to be laid against at least two men. The off-duty officer may be suspended or retrained, but criminal charges are unlikely.

Vorchheimer met with senior police officials earlier this week, but said the HREOC claim was not discussed at the meeting.

He said his complaint with HREOC against the police was “not about punishment but about setting boundaries for acceptable conduct”.

He said his case could restore the Jewish community’s faith in the police’s ability to bring the perpetrators of antisemitic incidents to justice.

“Because we know who the perpetrators are we have the opportunity to utilise these laws and show why they were enforced.”

Victoria Police must now respond the complaint before HREOC determines whether the matter will proceed to conciliation or a full hearing.

Detective Superintendent Wilson said it was likely that the police would request that the HREOC matter not proceed until the other two investigations are completed.