Policemen’s tour injuries listed

Press, 4 August 1983, Page 21

Policemen’s tour injuries listed

PA Wellington The Springbok tour has led to two policemen being medically discharged from the service, the Commissioner of Police, Mr R. J. Walton, has said. He said one had back injuries and the other suffered psychological problems. A third policeman’s case is also under review to determine his medical fitness to continue on the job. Another policeman only recently returned to less demanding duties because of the severity of his injuries. A fifth policeman is con-

valescing from recent surgery to correct recurring problems caused by tour injuries. Mr Walton said scores of policemen were injured during the 1981 Springbok tour, particularly during the third test in Auckland. On that day, for instance, out of one squad of 86 policemen, 67 were injured and 12 required hospital treatment. In a unit of 34 policemen, 25 were injured and nine required hospital treatment. A total of 38 policemen needed hospital attention that day. Minor injuries were not recorded.