One man has been fined more than $1,000 and two others banned from the Safe Night Precinct after a Surfers Paradise brawl in which police deployed a Taser.
Officers were called to a large fight on Orchard Avenue on the Gold Coast at about 2am on Sunday, as the altercation escalated.
A 43-year-old man from Aratula was issued with an infringement notice for public nuisance and fined just over $1,000. An 18-year-old man from Aratula and a 19-year-old man from McKimba were issued banning notices preventing them from entering the Safe Night Precinct.
Police have not confirmed which man was Tasered. Chief Superintendent Kylie Rigg said officers used force they believed was reasonable to stop the violence.
“Those officers are highly trained to make decisions in split-second moments where issues and assaults are potentially escalating,” she said.
Footage of the incident appears to show a security guard throwing punches. Police said they were aware of the footage, but the guard has not been charged or fined and no complaint has been made.
Officers have not established what triggered the fight. Ms Rigg said it was reasonable to believe alcohol may have been a factor given the late-night setting around licensed venues.
The use of force will be reviewed under standard police procedures, while officers continue examining body-worn camera footage, CCTV and video supplied by witnesses.
“We always review use of force matters,” Ms Rigg said.
No one was hospitalised and police received no reports of injuries.
