Lack of police complaints at 2014 Mardi Gras mustn’t be a “fluke”: NSW Police

Lack of police complaints at 2014 Mardi Gras mustn’t be a “fluke”: NSW Police

THE NSW police officer with ultimate oversight of LGBTI community relations has told the Star Observer his aim is to ensure 2014’s Mardi Gras, where no complaints against the force were received, wasn’t a one-off and is repeated at next year’s festival.

Detective Superintendent Tony Crandell, NSW Police’s spokesperson on LGBTI issues, was speaking in Sydney to announce plans for a special “tribute-entry” at next year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade to mark the 25th anniversary of the state’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLO) program.

“I think [relations with the LGBTI community] have been rebuilt,” said Crandell, referring to 2013’s low point where a video of teenager Jamie Jackson being slammed to the ground by an officer from outside the area made headlines worldwide.

Crandell said the lack of any complaints in 2014 was proof progress had been made.

“We are very, very focused on 2015 and we want to make sure 2014 wasn’t a fluke,” he said.

“It’s about being considerate and treating people decently. We put in place some really big changes:  we had the local officer who understands the LGBTI community dealing with the local issues and I think that’s really important as they’re my officers and I take responsibility for them.”

Other measures, including working in close contact with Mardi Gras and its volunteers on the Parade route and giving partygoers who are searched for drugs immediate access to independent legal advice, had helped to restore trust in the force, Crandell told the Star Observer.

Mardi Gras chief executive Michael Rolik said an accord, signed by the police, now laid down the most appropriate way to liaise with community groups and approach policing at the season’s main events.

“One of the root causes why things waned two years ago was because that continuity wasn’t there and that’s one of the big wins,” he said.

“The other thing is we’re actively involved in supporting the police to do their job which for our people, whether it’s at Mardi Gras or all year round, is to feel safe and secure.”

As for tips as to what the police’s 2015 Parade entry might look like, Rolik said: “We have a creative team in the Parade, so I think I will pass that over to the professionals — but definitely blue and sparkly and lots of glitter.”

Crandell didn’t rule out blue glitter, saying the force had “grand plans” for the Parade and hinting at the creation of unique badge that all GLLOs who attend the anniversary could wear.

GLLOs can now be found in both inner city and suburban areas of NSW with the longest serving officer ensconced with the local LGBTI population of Broken Hill in the state’s far west.

Crandell said his ambition was for an inspector in each of the NSW Police’s 76 local area commands to be fully signed up to the initiative.

“The GLLOs have really been the backbone of our commitment to the LGBTI community and without them we wouldn’t have a voice on the ground whether supporting our own staff or the LGBTI community right across the state,” he said.

Main image: Tony Crandell (in uniform, second from right) announced plans for a special “tribute-entry” at next year’s Mardi Gras Parade to mark the 25th anniversary of NSW’s GLLO program. Pictured here with (from left to right) Mardi Gras co-chair Fran Bowron, Police Minister Stuart Ayres, Mardi Gras co-chair Paul Savage, and Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik. (Picture: Benedict Brook)

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10 responses to “Lack of police complaints at 2014 Mardi Gras mustn’t be a “fluke”: NSW Police”

  1. I was just in New York City for 2 weeks and I attended a big dance party held in a warehouse and tickets were $40, there were no police there at all and the event was well managed with their own security – one big point to note is that police make a killing in fees charged to any event held in Nsw now – the police risk assess the event and then they present you with a police cost for the event that includes the much hated drug dogs – and that’s why dance party type events now have ticket costs way over $100, guests arrive only to see a heavy police presence with dogs everywhere and also guests get rough handled and abused by some police on occasion – New York gets by just fine without this – this is just one more example of how NSW Police have literally ruined this town as a fun place to party – they killed the club scene, and they kill any sort of dance party

  2. meh. police actions outweigh the words. still a negative in my book. i hate off their face party queens… but really – the response to sydney gay scene is rediculous. if anything we do it properly, look after our fellow queens… drug F&*&EDo or not… the police just make a bad situation worse and force people into overdosing and such. back off and go after the real crooks.

  3. There has always been a corrupt, homophobic and sexist culture problem within the NSW Police Force since the 1800’s. You can change policy, laws, regulations or managers – but the culture stays!

    Just like the Military!

  4. ‘positive policing’ – we’ve heard it all before, yet nothing has changed… don’t be fooled, homophobia continues within the NSWPF… police continue to hunt gay men as they turn a blind eye to homophobic violence – they even cover-up police involvement, victims refuse to report violence as they fear police, and let’s not forget that justice has been denied to the many men who were murdered and bashed… it will take a lot more than some glitter and sparkles to establish trust.

  5. I’d be really happy if the police entry said ‘SORRY’. That would be a great way to acknowledge the forces previous form of violence, judgement, hatred, neglect, ignorance and a few other things I’m sure I don’t need to spell out against our community in the not so distant past (1978 isn’t ‘that’ long ago). By saying sorry it would be a great way to acknowledge the harmful wrongs of the past, and show how far they, and we have come.

    • Problem is that, although we have come a long way, the NSW Police have stood completely still in their attitudes and actions. They should not be allowed near Mardi Gras in any capacity ! ! !