Police restrain 12 year old they thought was autistic

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Victoria Police has come under fire after footage emerged of four officers forcibly holding down a 12-year-old boy at a train station while bystanders protested.

The boy, who the officers said at the time was autistic, had reportedly been on the roof of Bendigo railway station on Friday evening before he was caught by police.

Video published by 3AW today show onlookers protesting the severe action against the boy, who was pinned to the floor as he screamed and swore.

“He’s a child,” exclaimed the woman apparently making the video. “What, are you going to pepper spray and taser him next?

“He’s running around on the roof, he’s got autism, you don’t understand,” one officer responded.

“I can’t let him kick people and I can’t let him stand on top of the railway station where he’s going to hurt himself.”

The boy’s treatment has prompted outrage from disability advocates, though a Victoria Police spokeswoman this morning said the boy’s family had confirmed the boy does not have autism.

"When our members are called to incidents like this the community expect them to act appropriately and decisively in order to maintain public safety," he said. "Police work is dangerous and incredibly challenging, and officers must always act to protect themselves and the community.

well it says I can't veiw the article unless I pay for a subscription to their newsletter and no not going to do that so yeah guess I can't really post an opinion as I cannot view the article.

Like did you just assume everyone has a subscription for this or is in a position to pay for it just to read one article?

The article came right up sans paywall for me.