Police Sleaze warning
The police will make their presence known over the Sleaze Ball weekend. There will be a heavy police presence throughout the city and Surry Hills areas from Friday through to Monday afternoon, police corporate spokeswoman Donna Adney has confirmed.
“To make sure you have an enjoyable long weekend in the city, plan ahead, think about how you are going to get to and from your destination, don’t use, possess or supply prohibited drugs and don’t drink too much,” she warned.
“Surry Hills will be conducting licensing and drug detection dog operations over the weekend. When approached by a police officer the person being spoken to should listen to the police and follow the intstructions given.
“Everyone needs to remember that possession, supply and administration of prohibited drugs are offences in NSW and police will take action where those offences are detected.”
In the event of being approached by a sniffer dog, the NSW Council for Civil Liberties has reminded people to remain calm and polite. You have the right to ask for the officer’s name, rank and station if you are approached. If you are found to have drugs, you must provide your name and address.
If you do not have drugs on you and you are still asked for your name and address, the Council suggests cooperating and making a complaint at a later time.
If the dog touches you or you believe the police have been aggressive or used unnecessary force, you can complain to the Ombudsman or speak to someone at the NSW Council of Civil Liberties.
Positive Life NSW and ACON reminded anyone in need of medication to, wherever possible, bring documentation and keep drugs in their original containers.
“When you come through the gate, ask to speak to a New Mardi Gras medical team member,” a spokesman said. “They will take you aside and discuss your medications discreetly.
“These discussion are private and confidential. Once they confirm the medication is legitimate, you will be allowed into the venue with the medication.”
Surry Hills Senior Constable Nigel Calcutt warned revellers to be aware of safety issues when travelling to and from the event.
“Avoid dimly-lit areas, back alleys, etc and try to walk in groups,” he said. “Trust your gut feeling and instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, move on.”
People are encouraged to cover up costumes on the way to and from venues.
“If you meet someone while out partying, introduce your new mate to other friends. SMS friends the location you’re attending with your new mate,” Calcutt advised.
“Make sure your friends know where you are going if you leave the party, and who you’re with. Phones are a great way for quickly recording some details and then you can SMS these to a trusted friend. You may even take a quick photo with your new mate and send it to your trusted friends — whatever makes you feel safe.”
“Australian Police Resemble Natzi’s”
So watch out as they will do the worst to get you on any thing..
As I was attacked from behind by apolice officer for nothing. I said I didnt have to put up with his insolence. Turned my back on him and he grabed me around the neck. Just for disputing a trafic infrigement . HITLER ALL OVER AGAIN
johnie, it was actually jans post you were responding too i think.
i think that NMG should have a position that reflects the breadth of their memberships attitudes, not just reflecting the law or the police position or some just say not policy. NMG could be saying that having read the ombudsmans report (for example) on sniffer dogs, and using online survey of its membership, NMG could have a policy of lobbying against current laws that as they do not promote harm minimisation. they could actually have a POSITION!
NMG could also be using its emailing to push out what it knows about all things sleaze, including what policing can be expected. currently the emails have adverts for other drugs (alcohol). it is ironic.
its also ironic police congratulate the behaviour at sleaze, but dont state the reason for this congratulatory behaviour could be that there isnt much alcohol consumed and party drugs were. but no, it will never be said.
so johnie, people AND organisations like NMG can approach politicians to push for law changes.
but till there is any law change, i am stating again that
‘drugs, prohibited or not, are a fact of life. about time we were able make adult choices to consume legally and safely, without the police harassment. currently big drug busts are used for media spin, law and enforcement politicking, and have nothing to do with reality (read the ombudsman report on sniffer dogs and their efficacy).
Dave,
So what you are essentially saying is that this is a problem with the law, not so much a problem with the police who are enforcing the law?
You refer to the problems that the community had with the the old Kings Cross and Darlinghurst commands. Agreed, there were problems, and those problems were dealt with by various commissions, changes in police hierarchy and better training of police officers, but to use that as a justification for police not doing their job some ten – twenty years later is a bit thin.
In relation to your assertion that police don’t get rewarded for honest and intelligent policing, well, that’s true as well, but it is expected that all police staff conduct themselves in an honest, intelligent and ethical manner. Its when a member of the police operate outside these parameters that they come under the notice of either members of the public, or their colleagues, and if and when this happens, the ramifications are justifiably harsh.
And finally, police don’t operate on a points or quota system, so netting a few dozen users etc is far more easier etc. is incorrect. There is a lot of behind the scene work that has to be completed as a result of arresting someone for even a small possession, and most cops I know would rather not have to bust a party goer with a couple of pills or a vial of G, but that’s the law, and these products are illegal. I know that, you know that and so does everyone else who takes the stuff. Being arrested and charged for a drug offence is the risk we take when we go out in public with illegal substances.
I would suggest that if you think this is unfair and archaic, then the law needs to be changed, meaning that people need to approach their politicians instead of berating police for doing their job.
Well said Dave, and for bringing this debate back to the point.
And yes, I agree with the above that the ‘Mr Bigs’ of drug dealing are often the police themselves. As the commissioner of Vic police said (sic)- corruption takes 2 parties… criminal/drug operators will always be a fact of life. Conclusion: corrupt cops greenlighting drug dealers will perpetuate ‘the problem’. Just look at the history of (former) darlingurst and kings cross commands. And the best explanation for drug dogs at parties (str8’s and ours): each arrest is a point towards promotion. Cops do not get rewarded for honest and intelligent policing. Its the number of arrests that makes them look diligent. And so netting a few dozen users of rec. chemicals is far easier and more points than going after a few Mr bigs.
And another bitch about NMG (sorry- I just have to)- instead of saying ‘party punters might at last get the message about party drugs (sic)’…, why dont you just fucken stop brown nosing the cops and work WITH the gay community. Why are they still in our Mardi Gras parade? Perhaps give them the message they and their dogs are NOT invited to our parties, and instead let us be nanny to our own parties. Perhaps after you stop misleading us all about the reasons for the split of weekends of the party and parade in 2010…
Well said Dave, and for bringing this debate back to the point.
And yes, I agree with the above that the ‘Mr Bigs’ of drug dealing are often the police themselves. As the commissioner of Vic police said on tv last night (something like this)- corruption takes 2 parties, and- criminal/drug operators will always be a fact of life. conclusion: corrupt cops greenlighting drug dealers will perpetuate ‘the problem’, whilst harassing small time users of recreational drugs. Just look at the history of (former) darlingurst and kings cross commands. And the best explanation for drug dogs at parties (str8’s and ours): each arrest is a point towards promotion. Cops do not get rewarded for honest and intelligent policing. Its the number of arrests that makes them look diligent. And so netting a few dozen users of rec. chemicals is far more and easier points than going after a few Mr bigs.
And another bitch about NMG (sorry- I just have to)- instead of saying ‘party punters might at last get the message about party drugs (sic)’…, why dont you just fucken stop brown nosing the cops and work WITH the gay community. Why are they still in our Mardi Gras parade? Perhaps give them the message they and their dogs are NOT invited to our parties, and instead let us be nanny to our own parties. Perhaps after you stop misleading us all about the reasons for the split of weekends of the party and parade in 2010…
i dont think that being gay exempts me from drug laws but that the law of drug prohibition doesnt work. maybe making the choice to go to a party and take some drugs could be seen as part of non violent civil disobedience to some very stupid laws…
out of all those at sleaze, 14 were arrested for small amounts. my calculations are that this is less than 1/2 of a percent of patrons….. more police and dogs there than the number of arrested. and this counts as a ‘success’ apparently.
drugs, prohibited or not, are a fact of life. about time we were able make adult choices to consume legally and safely, without the police harassment. currently big drug busts are used for media spin, law and enforcement politicking, and have nothing to do with reality. small drug busts are just plain mean.
Uhm guys, you are missing the point….don’t take drugs, pure and simple, or do you think that the gay community should be exempt from the same laws as everyone else is expected to abide by?
If it wasn’t for the prevalence of drugs of all shapes and sizes at the big parties, maybe the police and the dogs wouldn’t need to turn up, allowing more police resources to be devoted to other areas.
Sheeeesh!
Michael, without turning this into a Laura Norder debate…
While there are big busts, the idea of a single Mr Big or a few Mr Bigs is not the reality of how drugs are imported or manufactured in Australia these days.
And major drug busts around major dance parties – makes sense doesn’t it – a spike in demand leads to easier detection.
Merlot you note that “Overwhelmingly they catch people with small amounts for personal use” … Exactly small amounts. All that wasted resource for some petty crime – and the user gets a drug record.
But do they go after the Mr Bigs – NO. If they did then I might have some respect. Although I would suggest the Mr Bigs are fellow police officers….
BTW – have you noticed that the only time there appears to be a major drug bust, it is when theres a dance party near?
Oliver..’.He was smaller than me and very scared.’..sure he was !lol
what a bully you are Oliver…..lol
Chris, you werent there so, “Dont Comment” would be appreciated.
Simple fact – drug sniffing dogs appear at straight and gay gatherings, including the Big Day Out. Sleaze wasn’t singled out.
Some in our community think this resembles Nazi Germany or a reason to stage a Stonewall riot. Bizarre.
Ron thinks this simple point somehow reflects “gay shame”.
Mate, I don’t think gay pride includes legalising all drugs. I’ll stick with demanding same-sex marriage/adoption/inclusion in the Commonwealth anti discrimination act.
Finally a reality note to the paranoia on drug policy.
Back around 2000 the NSW Government introduced the Kings Cross drug injection room, a drug court and some decriminalisation in the cannabis cautioning scheme.
And the pooches?
Overwhelmingly, they catch people with small amounts for personal use. Only a very tiny minority have anything more than that. I don’t believe in ’em, but I also don’t believe in homosexual-as-perpetual-victim.
You can carry the banner demanding
Oliver have you been hitting the sherry again over in Kirribilli? ” The whole Australian Police force ” ??? what is that? we have various state police forces and The Australian Federal Police.
The other day I told a policeman exactly what I thought of him and the whole Australian Police force. He was smaller than me and very scared. So really, Dont be afraid to assert yourself.
Merlot: policing drug possession and use using law enforcement is a heavy handed waste of time and resources whether it is used to intimidate gay, straight, youth, aboriginal groups or whatever. In practice it is usually used to pick on relatively disenfranchised groups. And it has been shown convincingly to worsen health outcomes.
In many Western countries with sane drug policy review – like Portugal, Spain, Italy and now Mexico – small-time possession and use of various illicit substances has been decriminalized in the last ten years and guess what? health outcomes have improved and drug use is actually relatively low (e.g. Portugal where there has been a 7 year period of review)
It seems that it is only in NSW that the tide is moving in this completely irrational and counter-productive direction. Mainly because the corrupt Labour government thinks that appearing tough on law and order might salvage their election chances. Yeh, right.
And what’s with the gay shaming Merlot? Got some unresolved issues there?
You are quite right Merlot, being gay is not a leave pass to take drugs and this debate isn’t about that issue. Its the issue of where limited resources should be spent.
We can find money to have extra police on duty for a dance party, but cant find that money for a normal Saturday night. Why – because the powers that be, see dance parties as being far more dangerous than catching real criminals. The safety issue here is not about us, but the police themselves. Go out on a Fri or Sat night around this great city and all you see and hear is aggression and violence.. Where are the Police – inside their cars and offices. Yet when a dance party is on – there are hundreds of them…
Commissioner Scipione and his right wing anti fun attitudes drive the NSW police force into spending money on the light issues of policing instead of the hard and tough issues. Frankly spend the money and resources on catching gangs and hardcore criminals and leave petty crimes alone.
To the hysterical queens…surprise, surprise, the straight gathering on Sunday also had police sniffer dogs and arrests!
Ron, the police advice on safety is optional. The only bullshit is your own. Take less powder/pills, it’s making you paranoid.
Bottom line – being gay is not a leave pass to take drugs.
Mother Helen, Chris (x2?), Michael and Ron, You are all so right. NSW Police remain a joke. One day they just might catch real criminals, instead of wasting time attempting to catch people with a couple of pills at a ‘fun’ event. Its little wonder they and the NSW Government remain so useless in todays society.
NSW police once again living up to the reputation of the most morally corrupt police force in the country. I still remember my brother who was a year older being bashed when I was just 12. Bloody monsters!
1. Gay bashings- Fuck off homos.
2. A party where gays might attend- Lets teach those bastards a lesson.
This is how they operate. Cowards!
Really, perhaps if they investigate gay bashing’s, and arrest the Christian right that promote hate towards us, then that would be a better use of police resources. Sounds like hard work to them.
Corrupt filthy cunts is sometimes and underused term to describe the NSW Police Command.
I hear an election coming on! Looks like the commissioner is trying to earn respect from the other cunts – The Liberal Party.
I had a burglary recently and it took hours for police to turn up.No follow-up happened.Yet a fortune in resources is spent on policing a party where no problems occur.Also where have the police been for last few years stopping gay hate crimes in Sydney.The unbelievable thing is that anyone going to the party that has a medical condition have to identify themselves and will ushered off to the ‘other’ queue to check their medications and bottles and a doctors letter.This has been put in place by NMG etc so as to help those people not being harassed even more.But this points to the shocking level that we as a group and NSW population has had to stoop to appease the paranoia of the NSW police force. I will not be going to Sleaze Ball to stand in a queue to identify myself with a medical condition.How dare anyone ask this question? This raises the issue of privacy and dignity and it is amazing that this is not being addressed.The NSW police seem to be obsessed with the the relatively easy policing task of petty drug use at parties and nightclubs rather than the more difficult police work of addressing violent crime and burglaries.Is it just me,or does this and the use of police dogs against the us remind anyone else of Fascist Germany.
This is OUTRAGEOUS. The police are now telling us to cover up our Sleaze Ball outfits in the name of ‘safety’. When is this bullshit going to stop? Time for Stonewall 2009.
the NSW Police should NOT be allowed to march in OUR gay and lesbian mardi gras. If they are they should be booed all the way to the showground where their comrades will no doubt be waiting to harass us with their sniffer dogs!
When will the police actually go out and catch real criminals. We waste so much money and resources on patrolling people having a good time. Yet there are never enough police around when we are getting bashed or robbed.
These officers would be better off out in the western suburbs cleaning up the gangs and catching gay bashers.
But then again, Scippione is only interested in pushing his conservative Christian world onto the rest of us.
NSW Police – what a joke.
isn’t it sad how our areas, venues & parties have to have safety instructions nowadays? When I was a little nunlette we were free, despite our curent freedoms. I’m wiehing & praying for all on Shop Yourself Stupid and Sleaze night.
Surprise surprise…abundant police presence for sleaze…..but few available and very little interest in investigating the bashing of a gay couple with iron bars.