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Two police have been charged with negligent manslaughter following the death of a man from shocking injuries he sustained during an arrest for traffic-related offences outside a convenience store last year.
Builder Luke Briggs, 35, was unarmed when he was arrested at the corner of Heaths and Tarneit roads in Hoppers Crossing on July 15, 2024, and died in hospital from his injuries eight days later.
Luke Briggs, pictured with sister Catherine, died from injuries sustained during a police arrest in July 2024.
Victoria Police confirmed two officers – a 29-year-old male constable and a 45-year-old male sergeant both from North West Metro Region – have now been charged over Briggs’ death. They had been suspended since the incident.
Both officers have been bailed and are to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Briggs’ death came months after Steven Woodhouse, 30, died after he was shot in the chest with rubber bullets by police outside a Reservoir property in November 2023. Woodhouse was also unarmed, and body-worn cameras captured both incidents.
Family and friends of Briggs gather at the scene on the first anniversary of his death.Credit: Eddie Jim
The families of the two men said earlier this year that they accepted the need for a thorough criminal investigation but struggled to understand why the respective cases were taking so long to resolve.
Deputy commissioner for public safety and security Wendy Steendam said Briggs’ death had been subject to investigation by the homicide squad with oversight from Professional Standards Command since it occurred.
“I understand the news today will be concerning and difficult for many in the community. However, I want to reassure them that Victoria Police does not shy away from taking action to uphold community trust and confidence in our organisation,” she said in statement.
“The overwhelming majority of our police do the right thing day in and day out and provide exemplary service to the community. Today’s update should not take away from their efforts more broadly.”
Briggs in hospital.
She added it was crucial that incidents such as this were investigated thoroughly regardless of a police officer’s rank, position or tenure.
“Our thoughts today are also with the Briggs family, and we will ensure they continue to have a range of support services in place as the matter progresses.”
Robinson Gill Lawyers solicitor Sarah Condon, acting for the Briggs family, said they had been left “utterly distraught by the death of their loved one Luke and the subsequent delays in the case.
“However, they cannot further publicly comment on the matter at this point, given criminal proceedings have now been commenced against the two Victoria Police officers involved in his death,” Ms Condon said.
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Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said the force’s 18,000 police and protective service officers faced challenging circumstances every day.
“They would expect us to stand with these members. We will. We will be by their side and support them fully as they navigate the difficult path ahead,” he said.
Earlier this year, Briggs’ sister, Catherine Galley, said the uncertainty surrounding her brother’s death had compounded the family’s trauma.
“We still don’t understand why Luke was confronted to begin with. We don’t understand why it led to an assault by police that left him covered in bruises and in the intensive care unit fighting for life. We still don’t understand just how much he suffered,” Galley said.
“While the rest of the world has moved on, our family is stuck in July 2024. Our world has stopped and whilst the delays continue, our trauma is not dealt with, our grief is not dealt with, and we are unable to let go.”
Bob Briggs, Luke’s father, also criticised the delays and lack of information from investigators.
“The trauma is ongoing and always will be. From day one, there was a double standard. If the incident had been reversed and Luke choked a Victoria Police officer to death, he would have been remanded immediately and would still be in jail,” he said.
“The double standard is that these two police officers are sitting at home, on full pay, having a wonderful extended holiday.”
He questioned the ability of the homicide squad and the force’s Professional Standards Command to independently investigate his son’s death.
The family of Steven Woodhouse – a father of three – is still waiting for answers, almost two years after his death. The family say they still don’t know why the 30-year-old was being arrested.
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