Image: Justin Koonin, convenor of the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
WITH the recent dropping of charges against gay activist Bryn Hutchinson, the relationship between the LGBTI community and NSW Police is once again under scrutiny. Hutchinson was found not guilty of assaulting police on the night of the 2013 Mardi Gras Parade.
While this case and also another involving teenager Jamie Jackson made the headlines, LGBTI organisations received dozens of complaints about police conduct over the Mardi Gras festival season that spanned issues including intimidation, homophobic language, conduct during drug searches at major parties, and also operations at Oxford St venues.
We should not discount the great strides that have been made on relations with police since the first Mardi Gras Parade, but at the same聽time we 鈥� and most importantly NSW Police themselves 鈥� need to understand that there are systemic issues that need to be addressed.
In response to the events of the Mardi Gras season and following repeated community consultations, four organisations (NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, ACON, and the Inner City Legal Centre) developed an advocacy paper documenting the changes we feel need to take place within NSW Police.聽The paper can be found .
The paper contains 12 recommendations, such as the need for increased education and training on LGBTI issues within NSW Police, appropriate briefings for police from members of the LGBTI community before Mardi Gras, a more comprehensive and transparent assessment of the scale and risk of police operations at Mardi Gras, a review of procedures for drug searches and the use of drug detection dogs, and the聽need for an independent oversight body to handle police complaints.
The document was released publicly on November 14, and collectively the four organisations have held briefings with senior members of NSW Parliament (including Premier Barry O鈥橣arrell) and police. We have also been working with GLBTI Corporate Affairs Spokesperson and Surry Hills LAC Commander Supt Tony Crandell over the months.
The response so far has largely been positive, and we expect an agreement between Mardi Gras and police shortly, covering operational aspects of the next season and incorporating many of our suggestions for improvement.
Some of our recommendations will require legislative change, and these will take longer to achieve. Our recommendation to end the use of drug dogs at events and venues, for example,聽would require changes to the Police Powers (Drug Detection Dogs) Act 2001, and this is unlikely to be something the NSW government will countenance at this stage.
Further, the establishment of an independent oversight body for NSW Police would be a significant change to the way police operate, and one affecting communities well beyond our own. We are awaiting the outcome of the review into Oversight of Police Critical Incidents currently being conducted by former federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland.
At the end of the day actions will talk louder than words. However, we, and the police, know that the litmus test will be whether Mardi Gras 2014 is a vast improvement on 2013.
We are hopeful, but we also need to remain vigilant. We know that you will keep us 鈥� and the police 鈥� accountable too.
If you do find yourself involved with police, it is important to know your rights. Our colleagues at the Inner City Legal Centre have produced a useful fact sheet detailing what police can and cannot do.聽Please take a few minutes to read it .
This year the NSW GLRL celebrated 25 years of advocacy. We would like to thank all of the activists over this period who have fought for recognition of the dignity of our sexuality and the depth of our relationships. On a personal note, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful Lainie Arnold, who after two years in the role stepped down as co-convenor at our recent AGM.
Our community can be proud of the resilience we have shown, and the progress we have made this year. May 2014 be even better.
Stop blaming the Police because a handful of people in our community can’t behave themselves, or have an axe to
grind with the Police.
Think about it, there were 2 negative events on Oxford St during the last parade, out of all the thousands of people that were
on Oxford street during the last parade, Police and spectators and parade participants, members of our community
are still calling for civil disobedience and disrespect against the Police, because the Police deared take action against
two gay men who were acting like children? What do you people want?
I watched the whole clip involving Jamie Reed, I doubt that the people complaining about the Police did, because
if they did, there would have been a bit of sympathy for the people who he had kicked at and spat on.
The other incident that night was a person ignoring Police instructions not to cross Oxford Street at the end of the
parade.
Guys, it’s simple, do as you are asked!!!! Don’t assault anybody, do as the Police and Mardi Gras organisers
ask you to do, and don’t get upset and scream bloody murder or victimisation if you choose to misbehave and get
in trouble, and most importantly, have a good time!
I am glad to see we are still pushing for a truly independent and properly funded body to investigate and oversee NSW Police – like the British have – this is the centrepiece of what’s required – the reality is most police I have encountered are bloated with their own sense of power and importance and most of them cannot be trusted – I have firsthand their skillful lies at work and I don’t want otters to deal with the nightmare that is NSW Police
Most NSW Police working at Mardi Gras (and they will roster an insane and totally over the top # of police) are there for the over time – and also most of them are also arrogant morons who think they are all powerful and so when dealing with police start filming them – that’s ur only hope when dealing with them as they are master liars
Tip for dealing with police, start videoing them on your phone if you run into any issues with them, and if they tell you you’re not allowed to video them – tell them they are wrong and keep filming.
Don’t tell them anything as they will twist and lie about what they claim you said and start looking around now for the after hours number of a solicitor. Tell police that you have a solicitor and that you will not be pushed around. At least then they are less likely to taser you.
Rory, maybe a good tip for dealing with the Police is don’t break the law to begin with….simple :)
Tip when dealing with the police: When police tell you not to cross the road. Don’t cross the road. There are hundreds of thousands of people on the street on parade night and a large part of their job is crowd control.