A Victoria Police officer allegedly had her head repeatedly bashed into concrete by a woman who refused to wear a mask in line with coronavirus rules.
The 26-year-old officer and her partner approached a woman in Frankston who was not wearing a mask and the confrontation turned violent, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters.
"They approached a 38-year-old woman, who wasn't wearing a mask. After a confrontation and being assaulted by that woman, those police officers went to ground and there was a scuffle," he said on Tuesday.
"During that scuffle, this 38-year-old woman smashed the head of the policewoman several times into a concrete area on the ground.
"That's someone who thinks they're above the law.
"They're not wearing a mask, they're approached and asked the reason why not and then to react like that is just completely over the top."
The Police Association Victoria union said the officer returned to the station concussed and missing a clump of hair.
"She and many others are sacrificing their safety for our safety," the union said in messages posted to its social media accounts.
Victoria Police issued 161 fines on Monday to people flouting coronavirus restrictions, including 60 people who were not wearing masks.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative. The full list of restrictions .
All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
