Police ‘ignoring violence’

Police Minister David Campbell will be asked to intervene in the way officers from the Surry Hills command are responding to the increase of violence against gays and lesbians on the Oxford St strip.
The call comes as community organisations and even some police say they are increasingly disappointed with the ongoing refusal to acknowledge a problem exists.
Many who spoke to SSO were angered by the denials and said statistics claiming only nine incidences of homophobic violence this year were inaccurate.
A simple search of [anti-gay keywords] produces dozens of incidents not tagged as Sexual Preference Prejudice-related, a former police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
There’s also pressure on local area commands to keep stats down generally.
Another officer complained the Sexual Preference Prejudice tag in the police system was a tiny little box often forgotten and the term itself was confusing.
Assaults that occur at Sleaze Ball between two gay people wouldn’t get recorded. The tag should ask -˜is it gay-related’, not -˜is it prejudice’, the officer said.
Surry Hills should be recording this. That’s part of the area they work in.
The crime manager [said] if a person has reported it to us, but hasn’t pushed for action to be taken, it should be marked as -˜occurrence only’ rather than an assault.
Incidents recorded as occurrence only carry less significance and are rarely followed up, but police media could not confirm the internal procedures on this practice.
ACON president Adrian Lovney will meet with Campbell later this month.
We’re not happy with the response to date, particularly at the local level, and are seeking intervention by the Minister, Lovney said.
It’s our understanding that incidents are not being reported and recorded in the COPS system. We know there’s under-reporting. The police could also make a decision to record it more accurately.
Lovney said Campbell’s visit to Oxford St was a good step that brought much needed attention to the area.
Campbell’s proposed community consultation forum for the review of the Police Gay and Lesbian Strategy was welcomed, Lovney added, even though a forum held last year did little to increase confidence in local police.
During that forum ACON proposed a mobile police station be stationed at Taylor Square, an idea that still resonates with the gay and lesbian community.
An SSO poll last week found 72 percent of respondents supported a police station on Oxford St, following renewed calls for the service by openly gay Sydney Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard.
Another source in NSW Police told SSO funding was the primary reason for the lack of response, but couldn’t rule out police culture playing a part.
The Police Minister’s office advised the community leaders forum would be held next month.
Poll: Do you think the police are ignoring the escalation of anti-gay violence? Vote at www.ssonet.com.au.