Police beat a woman in a Sydney street. Their own camera captured their cruelty
Jodi Knott was subjected to a brutal police assault in Sydney, captured on body-worn camera footage. Her family has fought to have the video released to highlight the cruelty she faced and advocate for better police training in handling mental health crises. Jodi, who lived with schizophrenia, died of cancer 18 months after the incident, leaving her relatives seeking justice and change in police practices.
- ▪Jodi Knott was filmed being assaulted by police officers while experiencing a psychotic episode.
- ▪The footage shows officers using excessive force, including kicking and pepper spraying her.
- ▪Jodi's family believes the incident reflects a significant cultural issue within the police regarding treatment of vulnerable individuals.
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Jodi Knott suffered 'gratuitous cruelty' at the hands of police. Her family wants the public to see what they didBy Amy Greenbank, Elise Potaka and Dylan WelchFour CornersTopic:PoliceSun 31 May 2026 at 5:06amSun 31 May 2026 at 5:06amSun 31 May 2026 at 5:06amAn officer kicks Jodi Knott, in body-worn camera vision her family has fought to have released. (Supplied)abc.net.au/news/bodycam-video-police-beating-woman-sydney-family-jodi-knott/106740598Link copiedShareShare articleThe shaky video on the laptop shows a naked woman crouching under a tree by a Western Sydney street, experiencing a psychotic episode.Plain-clothes NSW police officer Senior Constable Nathan Black puts on blue surgical gloves."It's not about being scared," he says."It is about being scared of you," she screams.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).