NSW Premier’s scrutiny call could lead to an investigation into LGBTI community policing
Image: (Image credit: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)
AN external investigation into the NSW Police Force’s handling of a spate of alleged homophobic crimes in the 1980s and 1990s is one step closer with NSW Premier Mike Baird today committing the government to review the state’s police oversight system.
However, a Sydney resident who believes he was the victim of an assault perpetrated by officers in the late 1990s has said any new complaints body must be independent to avoid police investigating police.
Baird made the announcement at the conclusion of a parliamentary inquiry into the police’s Operation Mascot that investigated allegedly corrupt officers.
“We trust the police with protecting public safety and upholding the rule of law, and they do an outstanding job,” he said.
“However, the current system for reviewing complaints against police officers is complex and unsatisfactory, with overlapping responsibilities, duplication and a lack of clarity over responsibility for police oversight.”
The Premier said if the government was re-elected, a review would look at options for establishing a single civilian oversight model for police potentially based on the UK’s Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The actions of the NSW Police are currently overseen by a number of bodies including the Police Integrity Commission and the Ombudsman but these have been criticised for not being fully independent, having limited powers and lacking teeth.
Alan Rosendale, who alleges that police covered up a serious assault he received outside a known Surry Hill beat in 1989 that potentially involved officers from the force, said he looked forward to a system that could lead to answers.
However, talking to the Star Observer, Rosendale said it was vital any new watchdog be entirely separate from the force.
“Someone from outside the force who is independent and able to make real and proper investigations is sorely needed,” he said.
“If anything can shed some light and factual explanation into what happened to me and others in the ‘80s and ‘90s it would be very much welcomed.”
Sydney state independent MP Sydney Alex Greenwich backed Rosendale’s call for an independent complaints commission: “This is indeed an encouraging sign for the government but the devil will be in the detail to ensure the oversight body is robust and independent of the police.”
Meanwhile Coogee state Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith said the announcement was good news and should be based on the UK model.
Earlier this month, Labor upper house MP and prospective candidate for Newtown Penny Sharpe joined Notley-Smith and Greenwich — as well as representatives from the Greens and Nationals – to receive a petition from LGBTI community groups that stated police should no longer investigate their own conduct.
Sharpe said Labor welcomed any move on introducing an independent body: “It’s clear all sides of politics are looking to progress this… and after the election we’d want to see what happens next”.
A chorus of LGBTI community groups, including the NSW Gay and Lesbian Right Lobby (GLRL), Inner City Legal Centre, ACON and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, also threw their weight behind a new watchdog.
GLRL co-convener Justin Koonin said: “It will benefit the community, and it will also benefit NSW Police, since transparency in police processes will improve public confidence”.
Koonin said investigations could also take place into allegations of heavy handed police at 2013’s Mardi Gras as well as ongoing concerns over the use of drug dogs and search procedures at parties.
The police have been contacted for comment. However, earlier this month a spokesperson told the Star Observer calls for more oversight of the force were a matter for state parliament and NSW Police were committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the LGBTI and wider community.
Agree that no police should be allowed to march in Mardi Gras. They are actually PAID/ on duty while doing so (and apparently the only emergency services that are- compared to Firies, military, etc).
Empty PR exercise which just doesn’t wash, until the NSW police are truly a police SERVICE, and behave like the PUBLIC SERVANTS they are meant to be- serving the public…
Nothing less than a Royal commission into the “suspicious deaths ” over over 60 gay men in Sydney during the late 1980s / early 1990s will suffice . Many of these deaths occurred when gay men ” fell ” from the cliffs between South Bondi and Tamarama . Had over 60 heterosexuals died in similar circumstances the government would have called in the fucking army !
Yawn!
What’s next – police investigating police, ICAC investigating ICAC and gays investigating gays?
Mardi Gras is so hyped-up, a waste of taxpayers money, out-dated and over-rated in 2015 anyway!
The problems with NSW Police are deeply entrenched – I have seen it first hand on numerous occasions – they have a thuggish blokey anti gay culture – they have almost no service ethic – I have heard from police that in the force there are ruling cliques of all powerful police and if you cross them your career is over effectively – and being a good honest cop will get u nowhere. Most police I have encountered are master liars – skilled at playing the system – including the Courts – to their advantage. Regarding their role with the gay community – it’s clear that police try real hard with their PR BS – but it’s not working. The number of gay hate crimes linked back to police pile up – all un solved and there is a groundswell now for change. Crandell and Jackie Braw need to go – they are totally ineffective and have lost all credibility – and we need to fundamentally clean up and reform NSW Police – a Royal Commission would be a good start
We need a federal Royal Commission into crimes against GBTI Australians by church and government institutions. In my own situation, I was bashed by St Kilda police, and charged with loitering for the purposes. Fucking poof they yelled. It was not one policeman, it included many. At court police lied saying I was a regular on the streets. For a long time I wanted to kill those police, it took years to understand not all police were rotten apples. The same police station was later raided by ASIO, and a large amount guns and cash was found in the roof of the police station in Prahran. In the gay press at the time, it was not uncommon to have people complain in the letter to the editor about police brutality. A few years later, the Tasty Nightclub was raided, a mass hate crime was committed, and once again police broke the law assaulting GLBTI people. My incident happened in 1990. Later, some of the police were dead. One from smoke inhalation at a house fire, the other shot. Karma had caught up with the thugs. It makes me wonder about police involvement in the killings of gay men in Sydney and other places. 4 Corners a few years ago, featured old footage of a former head of the drug squad talking about life on the beat as a young constable and how you bash a few poofs amongst other things. They were that open in 1990.
The Premiere can only offer to take one grain of sand off a beach. A vigorous Royal Commission is needed.
That is a good idea – a National Royal Commission into crimes against GBTI Australians by church and government institutions. Also there needs to be a National Royal Commission into the unsolved gay murders/bashings within Sydney Metropolitan Area of the 1980s and 90’s!
Also 7 more National recommendations here:
* Implement Marriage Equality throughout Australia and the external territories
* Repeal all the Religious Exemptions within the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 19977 and the National Sex Discrimination Act 1984
* Become a Republic and have a Bill of Rights/Human Rights Act within our Constitution
* A National Royal Commission into the Australian Military;
* A National Apology For Gay men who were jailed up until 1997 in Tasmania;
* A National Royal Commission into 8 inconsistent state Adoption laws; and
* A National Royal Commission into missing LGBTI persons