Authorities have been formally asked to review and reform police operations in the Inner City following last week’s operation on Oxford Street.
Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich has written to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) requesting a review into late-night police drug detection operations.
It follows last weekend’s operation on Oxford St which saw armed police, with drug dogs, enter numerous queer venues including Universal and Kinselas.
Greenwich said the raids on these venues had left community members feeling traumatised and less trusting of police, particularly during Pride Month.
“The LGBTQ venues on Oxford Street are well-run, safe, and rarely have incidents. The patrons who attend them are lovers not fighters, and the heavy-handed policing appears to be totally inappropriate,” he said.
“At a time when we are trying to revitalise Oxford Street, and support venues and performers, these kinds of operations scare people away and drive them to house parties or unofficial venues where you don’t have security or trained RSA staff.”
In the letter to the LECC, Greenwich said his office, as well as Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s, were inundated with reports from people who were out on the strip that evening.
“Neither of us has received so many complaints about police in more than 10 years,” the letter states.
“We have heard from people who were on the street and in venues including Universal Sydney, Kinselas and Palms, all reporting that police were aggressive, intimidating, disrespectful and unprofessional.”
The letter states that patrons were pushed, shoved and subjected to full-body searches, while police used intimidating and hostile language.
“We have heard from patrons who were told to ‘f*** off’ or told ‘if you don’t like it, move to Melbourne’; many were asked aggressively to move out of the way, including ‘are you going to f***ing move’.”
Greenwich said he had seen footage from Universal and was appalled by the police behaviour as he asked the LECC to immediately investigate the conduct.
“The role of police is to protect the community from harm, not to intimidate them, treat them with suspicion for no reason, or spoil their fun,” he said.
“There was no riot or crime wave on Oxford Street last Saturday night that warranted such excessive, aggressive and intimidating police actions.”
The police, however, defended their actions, saying they conducted an “intelligence-led, prevention-focused” operation that night.
“The operation aimed to proactively disrupt drug supply and address anti-social behaviour, consistent with the NSW Police Force’s ongoing commitment to prevention-focused policing to enhance community safety.”
Ninety-three people were searched, which resulted in 42 drug detections, according to police, who confirmed they had received feedback from the operation.
“These discussions have provided an opportunity to listen to community perspectives, better understand concerns, and provide context regarding the intent and outcomes of the operation.”
The Police Minister, Yasmin Catley, stood by the force, saying she had been advised that it was “a drug detection operation and illegal drugs were seized.”
“Illegal drugs are illegal — plain and simple,” she said.
“If people have concerns about police conduct, they should raise them through the proper channels so they can be assessed.”
GSD has asked numerous times to interview members of the NSW Police Force’s Gender-Diverse and LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officers (GLLOs), who “work to build trust and confidence between the NSW Police Force and LGBTQIA+ communities,” but has been declined every time.
