Geraldton officer allegedly punched breaking up Karloo street fight

A Geraldton man who allegedly attacked a junior policewoman on Monday, leaving her with a bruised and scratched face, was given bail after appearing in court later the same day. Geraldton Police Station officer in charge Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said police were called to a Karloo address around 4am, after receiving reports of public fighting. It’s alleged 24-year-old Diquan Hommett Cedric Ryder was intoxicated and fighting with friends and family at the time, allegedly punching the officer twice in the face when she arrived at the scene. Sen. Sgt Martin said it allegedly took tasers, batons and pepper spray to subdue him and the officer was taken to hospital as a precaution. Mr Ryder appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court later the same day facing charges of assaulting a police officer, criminal damage and possessing prohibited drugs. He was not required to enter pleas and was given bail until his next appearance on July 29. WA Police Union acting president, Mick Kelly said the alleged incident highlighted the hard work officers undertake every single day. “Assaulting a police officer is a cowardly act and these incidents are seriously injuring our members,” he said. “Our hard-working police officers are simply doing their jobs protecting the community, and they certainly do not deserve to be treated like punching bags.”