Riverina Rewind: Why did a Wagga constable beat up a travelling preacher?

Key points

• In October 1928, a Wagga Wagga constable arrested visiting Baptist revivalist Thomas William Brogan at a busy intersection, triggering a national scandal. Witnesses said the constable pushed Brogan to the ground and dragged him to the lockup as a crowd booed.
• Brogan was charged with offensive behaviour. The police magistrate dismissed the charge, saying the preacher had shown extraordinarily bad judgment in preaching at a busy intersection.
• Local sympathisers later raised money for Brogan.