Perth, Western Australia April 21, 2007 Home News Time Out Letters Write a Letter Classifieds Search Real Estate Trades & Services Submit About Contact Us Advertising Legal	Police officer injured in pub footy brawl A Wembley policeman broke his kneecap while arresting a man who was naked from the waist down outside Leederville Hotel last week. The constable fell on his knee trying to restrain the 21-year-old man about 12.30am last Sunday, and hours later had surgery to re-wire his kneecap. Sgt Mike Gough said the policeman was released from St John of God Hospital, Murdoch, on Wednesday and would be out of action for at least four months. Police say bus-loads of partying footballers and fans are causing big problems for police in Leederville. Sgt Gough said police were patrolling Newcastle Street, Leederville, on Saturday night and early Sunday morning. "There were a lot of people down there, a lot of leftovers from the derby (Dockers v Eagles at Subiaco Oval)," he said. "We had been there all evening. There was a fair bit of rowdy behaviour and a lot of party buses were turning up." He said officers were dealing with a group of about 18 from North Beach Football Club. "Things got out of hand and they were confronting officers who were arresting one of their party," he said. "One of them assaulted the constable, who went to chase him. Capsicum spray was used, and during the struggle he broke his kneecap." Officers from Wembley, Perth and Subiaco were there, and three men were arrested. Sgt Gough said: "It got to the point where they had to use crowd-control techniques, using their batons to move people along. "It took quite some time to disperse everyone." A 21-year-old Innaloo man was charged with disorderly conduct, assaulting a public officer and obstructing police; a 19-year-old Hillarys man was charged with obstructing police; and a 21-year-old Marmion man was charged with disorderly conduct. Sgt Gough said officers were paying particular attention to party buses coming into the area. "Officers were lucky last week because they had assistance from door staff at the hotel," he said. He said the incident was the second involving a local football club since the start of the season. Earlier this month, two men from West Coast Cowan Amateur Football Club were arrested outside the Floreat Tavern. -Fiona Ross-Edwards Do you have something to say? Write to us and we may publish your letter next week. BACK TO TOP < PREVIOUS - HOME - NEXT> Copyright © 1996 - 2009 Post Newspapers Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.