LGBT groups and Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras have met with the Police Minister to discuss reports of excessive violence by police on revellers at the Parade.
NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher met with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) representatives and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich to discuss two specific incidents – as well as other anecdotal evidence – of police using excessive force at a range of Sydney Mardi Gras-related events.
Senior police also met on Wednesday with Greenwich as well as representatives from SGLMG, ACON and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby to debrief on the police response during the Mardi Gras Festival.
SGLMG Co-Chair Peter Urmson says Minister Gallacher gave an assurance that, if necessary, he will act to improve policing practices in the wake of video footage being released which shows a young man being violently apprehended by a police officer during last weekend’s Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. Police have indicated that this incident – as well as another event later the same evening – is both being investigated by the Police Professional Standards Command.
Urmson says at today’s meeting Minister Gallacher gave the undertaking to meet with a task force of LGBTIQ community leaders “to determine if a culture of overreaction and unnecessary force was behind the incidents and, if so, to develop a plan to ensure policing practices better reflect the level of risk.”
Mr Urmson says Premier Barry O’Farrell also spoke with him to reiterate undertakings from senior police that the investigation of the two incidents in question will follow due process and be carried out with the utmost transparency. Mr Urmson says Minister Gallacher also assured him that issues of alleged heavy-handed policing experienced by patrons at various Mardi Gras events will be addressed at the highest level of the NSW Police Force.
““While we appreciate and support the job that police have to do, in particular the Surry Hills LAC who we work with closely, we think there is more work needed to ensure that all other LACs involved receive training to ensure consistent policing across Sydney Mardi Gras events,” says SGLMG Co-Chair Siri Kommedahl. “We’re now looking forward to working with the Government, senior police and key LGBTQI community organisations to ensure that police across the board engage with members of our communities in a respectful and courteous manner in the future.”
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor Justin Koonin says anyone who has experienced police using excessive force during the Mardi Gras period should report the incident to ACON’s Anti-Violence Project or to the Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC). “It’s important that we get information on the record so we can advocate more effectively for improved security measures for members of our community,” Mr Koonin says. “Unless a complaint is lodged and a formal process is followed, the police are under no requirement to investigate an incident and no action can be taken, so we need people to come forward. ACON and ICLC have both given assurances that anyone who does make a report will be offered the full support of both organisations.”
ACON President Mark Orr says several options for improving policing practices were discussed at today’s meeting with police, including the provision of LGBTQI cultural sensitivity training for police officers. “The experiences of some community members during Mardi Gras clearly show that more work needs to be done in terms of improving the awareness and understanding of the LGBTQI community among NSW police officers,” Mr Orr says. “Education and training programs provided by organisations like ACON are a valuable part of this process and they need to be delivered to all police regardless of where they are based so we don’t see these kinds of incidents occurring in the future.”
Community Action Against Homophobia has announced it will protest at Sydney gay and lesbian hub, Taylor Square and is calling on residents to march on the Surry Hills Police Station to “demand justice”. The March is scheduled for 6pm Friday.
