Former NSW Police Officers Jailed for Assault and Pepper Spraying Mentally Unwell Woman

Two former New South Wales police officers have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the brutal assault and pepper-spraying of a mentally unwell woman during a welfare check in Western Sydney in 2023. The incident, captured on body-worn camera, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police conduct and accountability.

The Incident

On January 2023, officers Timothy John Trautsch, 30, and Nathan Black, 28, were called to an Emu Plains cul-de-sac to conduct a welfare check on a 48-year-old woman. The woman was found sitting on the ground, naked, and experiencing a psychotic episode due to her schizophrenia. She had been released earlier that day from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre and was unmedicated.

The body-worn camera footage captured the officers’ actions, which included repeatedly kicking and stomping on the woman while she was on the ground. Trautsch used pepper spray on her face and genitals, while Black dragged her by her hair and also used his spray. At one point, Trautsch was recorded saying, “That’s enough, there could be cameras,” suggesting a lack of remorse and a calculated approach to the assault.

When hospital staff asked if the woman had been pepper-sprayed to her genitals, Black replied, “Yes, you have to do what you have to do.” He later shared clips of the incident via Facebook Messenger with a colleague, describing the footage with inappropriate language.

The Sentencing

NSW District Court Judge Graham Turnbull described the attack as “a deliberate and ongoing attack” and called it “a most egregious breach of the law.” Trautsch was sentenced to a non-parole period of three years, with a head sentence of five years and nine months. Black received a non-parole period of three years and three months, with a head sentence of five years and nine months.

Judge Turnbull emphasized that the officers showed “complete and utter contempt for the victim” and that the use of pepper spray was “clearly calculated to inflict the maximum pain and discomfort.” He noted that both men were young, previously of good character, but had shown a troubling lack of empathy and a willingness to justify their actions.

NSW Police Response

In a statement following the sentencing, Acting NSW Police Commissioner David Hudson called the incident “one of the worst examples of contravening our core values and ethics” he had seen in his four-decade career. He expressed deep regret for the victim’s suffering and reiterated the commitment of the police force to uphold ethical standards.

Both officers had resigned from the force in August 2023, before they were officially removed. The woman, who has since died in circumstances unrelated to the incident, was described by the judge as having endured a harrowing experience at the hands of those who were meant to protect her.

Broader Implications

The case has reignited discussions about the mental health of police officers, workplace culture, and the need for greater accountability in law enforcement. Judge Turnbull noted that both men had attempted to justify their actions, citing personal issues and workplace challenges, but ultimately, the responsibility for their actions fell squarely on them.

As the community grapples with the fallout of this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the highest standards of conduct, especially in roles of public trust and responsibility.