In the midst of the ‘Covid-19 global pandemic’, the world bore witness to countless stories of resilience and defiance. For Nick Patterson, a retired Melbourne-based MMA fighter, now devoted husband and father, along with his friends, the Covid lockdown years would test their resolve like never before. What began as peaceful protests during Covid-19 lockdowns, soon escalated into a harrowing tale of alleged police misconduct and a fight for justice that continues remarkably to this day.
The Peaceful Protests Turn Chaotic
In August 2020, as the people of Melbourne grappled with the lockdown, the longest in the world, Melbourne experienced a total of 262 days of lockdowns from March 2020 to October 2021. The city went through six lockdowns during this period. Nick Patterson's MMA Gym found itself at the center of controversy. Nick, a gym owner and former MMA fighter himself, decided to keep his business open, citing the obvious and crucial need to provide for his family and pay his bills. These actions, allegedly in violation of lockdown restrictions, attracted the attention of the authorities.
What followed can only be described as a series of targeted unrelenting confrontations and harassment by law enforcement officers. Nick's gym, a place where he trained fighters, quickly turned into a battleground for something much bigger—a battle for livelihoods, rights, and justice.
The Unsettling Encounters with Police
Police visits to Nick's gym became increasingly frequent and forceful. One incident, captured on camera, involved the arrival of 18 police cars and a news crew from Channel 7, when no one was found to be at the gym the police pulled a random female driver over and decided to smash her car windows. Another day saw 22 police officers and a DHHS officer descending upon the gym's premises. This is what targeted harassment looks like during the very challenging period when people were grappling with lockdown restrictions and unable to pay their bills or let their children out of the house to play at the park on playground equipment.
The escalating tension between Nick and Victoria Police eventually spilled over into the public arena. Peaceful protests emerged and often in Melbourne, as citizens had enough of the blatant misuse of power which was now affecting everyone, and reflecting the broader frustrations of a community struggling to make ends meet during a seemingly never-ending lockdown. However, these protests would mark the beginning of a long and arduous battle for justice.
The Shocking Incident and Its Aftermath
The turning point came in May 2021, during a Lockdown protest in Melbourne's CBD. Nick and his friends were issued a move-on order by the police, which they complied with as seen on video. However, what followed was a disturbing sequence of events that would leave Nick incarcerated for a month, assaulted, and left with a dislocated shoulder all based on what are alleged false charges.
Nick's friend, Jay, was punched by police, while the group who had only minutes earlier been directed to leave and were meters away from their vehicles. Chaos ensued as the group tried to defend him. Nick and others describe feeling herded and harassed by what they call "stormtroopers," the Victoria Police public order response team.
Despite their efforts to maintain calm that day, the situation escalated, with Police following and at times seen on video pushing and assaulting the group as they made their way to their vehicles leading to a final violent attack by Victoria Police and Nick's subsequent imprisonment as well as the charging by police of Nick and five of his friends.
But what sets this story apart is the presence of the Axon Body 2, a type of body-worn camera used by Victoria Police. These devices, often heralded for their ability to capture real-time events, would play a crucial role in uncovering the truth.
What would have happened if the Axon body-worn cameras did not exist or were not used I wonder?
Body-Worn Cameras: A Game Changer for Citizens and Law Enforcement
In a world where justice can sometimes feel elusive, body-worn cameras like the Axon Body 2 have become indispensable tools. Equipped with features like unlimited HD video, advanced audio, full-shift battery life, and pre-event buffering, these cameras offer a reliable account of events as they unfold which can later be used as crucial evidence.
The very presence of these cameras can deter police misconduct and promote accountability, making them a powerful asset in the pursuit of justice. In Nick's case, they would help turn the tide too for the group of friends.
The Role of Body-Worn Cameras in Justice
Video footage from the Axon Body 2 cameras revealed a different narrative from what was initially portrayed. In one instance, police initiated a confrontation with Jay and the group, which led to six members of the group’s arrest and formal charging by Victoria Police. The camera exposed the officers' actions and, in conjunction with other evidence, led to the dropping of charges against Jay as well as an additional two members of Nick’s group.
Another video showed police assaulting several of Nick’s friends by pushing them around before any alleged offenses took place. This evidence provided a compelling argument for the dropping of charges against three of Nick’s friends involved in the incident. In these critical moments, body-worn cameras like the Axon Body 2 became beacons of truth.
The Fight for Justice Continues
With charges dropped against several individuals, questions arise about the validity of the state of emergency declared during the protest and the transparency of legal proceedings. Since that time both the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, and the Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton have resigned. Despite the mainstream media's silence, Nick and his friends continue their fight for justice.
Nick was initially charged with 20 different counts after Victoria Police assaulted him during the peaceful protests. Patterson was taken into custody at Dandenong and later taken to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder received during the violent Police assault. Charges include assaulting police, resisting police, causing serious injury, unlawful assault, and breaching health directives.
Nick Patterson's story is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement. In a world where cameras capture our every move, they can also capture the moments that matter most—the moments that reveal the truth.
As Nick awaits his trial, he remains resolute in his pursuit of justice. His experience underscores the enduring power of evidence, especially when it comes from the very devices that are meant to ensure accountability—the body-worn cameras.
Nick encourages people to follow his case on his website, FightCorruptPolice.com, and through his Telegram channel, t.me/FightCorruptPolice. His story is a testament to the enduring pursuit of justice in the face of adversity, and the vital role that body-worn camera technology plays in revealing the truth.
In a world where justice is often hard-fought, body-worn cameras remind us that the truth is always worth seeking.