A man accused of mowing down and attempting to murder three police officers was on bail at the time after allegedly attacking some of their fellow cops in a previous incident, a court has heard.
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Police, who have not ruled out terrorism as a motive, allege Thomas Matthews, 30, deliberately drove at the trio as the officers conducted roadside stops outside the National Arboretum on Sunday afternoon.
ACT Policing said the three officers had stopped a Toyota Aurion at the intersection of Forest Drive and Lady Denman Drive about 2.50pm.
While the officers were standing between the Toyota and their police car, a green Ford Laser allegedly "veered" off the road and hit the trio.
ACT deputy chief police officer Michael Chew said a male leading senior constable was thrown onto the bonnet of the Ford, suffering back and neck injuries.
"A female constable was also thrown onto the bonnet of the car, landing on the ground and sustaining injuries as well," Commander Chew said.
"A second female constable was run over by the vehicle and became trapped under the vehicle.
"She suffered multiple fractures to her leg, including a compound fracture, and remains in hospital receiving treatment."
According to police, the Laser driver got out of his car and was restrained by two of the officers, who managed to arrest the man despite their injuries.
The third officer was rescued from under the Ford Laser a short time later.
The three officers were being treated in Canberra Hospital on Monday, with the full extent of the leading senior constable's head and neck injuries still unclear.
The two female constables were new to ACT Policing, having graduated from the academy just four weeks ago.
They were being trained in traffic procedures at the time of the incident.
Commander Chew said he believed the crash was "definitely a deliberate act" and while a link to terrorism had not been established, it would be investigated.
The deputy chief police officer said all three injured officers had remained calm during Sunday's incident and acted appropriately during what would have been "a terrifying situation".
"I have nothing but praise for the actions of all three officers, who were able to arrest the man despite their injuries," Commander Chew said.
"I would also like to thank the driver of the Toyota Aurion who didn't hesitate to assist our officers, along with two other members of the public, to move the vehicle that had trapped [one] officer."
Matthews appeared briefly in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday morning and was charged with three counts each of attempted murder and driving at police officers with intent to risk their safety.
The 30-year-old Hawker man was further charged with culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm.
He did not enter pleas and replied "yes" each time Magistrate Robert Cook asked him if understood the charges.
Matthews' Legal Aid lawyer, Georgia Le Couteur, said the man would not apply to be readmitted to bail.
Prosecutor Anthony Williamson asked Mr Cook to revoke Matthews' existing bail, which he said related to allegations of arson and "attacking police officers with a weapon".
The magistrate agreed to do so and adjourned the matter until August 2.
In a statement, Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana said incidents like this one demonstrated how dangerous policing could be.
"At the end of the day, the three officers are fortunate to still be with us," he said.
"This could very easily have been a triple fatality.
"Police officers don't come to work to be driven at and nearly killed.
"In what world is it OK to drive, using a vehicle as a weapon, at someone doing their job?"
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