Australian police have launched an internal affairs investigation after learning that a police officer was at the centre of a vicious, racially motivated bashing of an Orthodox Jew on Simchas Torah.

A spokesman said Vicpol’s Ethical Standards Department had launched the investigation after learning the officer was with a group of country footballers who bashed Menachem Vorchheimer in Caulfield last Saturday as he was walking near his Shul on Simchas Torah. 

Mr Vorchheimer, who was given a black eye in the attack as he tried to protect two children aged six and three, said he was racially abused.

The footballers also stole Mr Vorchheimer’s hat, and punched him as passers-by attempted to help.

“This is Melbourne. This shouldn’t happen. They stole my religious items, which are very important to me. It was in front of my children,” he said.

Mr Vorchheimer said he approached their bus driver, an off-duty police officer, to ask where they were from.

“The driver never assaulted me or yelled any abuse but he wouldn’t tell me where (the players) were from. I would have thought an officer of the law had a duty to behave in a more ethical manner,” Mr Vorchheimer.

Internal affairs have launched parallel investigations into the assault after learning the bus driver was an officer.

Mr Vorchheimer said the president of the Ocean Grove Football Club had offered an apology, but the players involved had yet to admit to racially or physically abusing him.

“I bear no ill-will towards the club, but I would like an apology from the players concerned,” he said.

Ocean Grove Football Club president Michael Vines, who has offered an unconditional apology to Mr Vorchheimer, said the players involved faced expulsion from the club.

The Islamic Council of Victoria and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry have also condemned the attack.

TAN