"A police service, not a police force"

69 representatives from the LGBT community have signed a statement calling for an end to police violence and harassment. 

“The purpose is to make a statement to the NSW government, the police force, and to community leaders about our objectives and the process to get there,” say the letter’s organisers.

“We believe that there’s a consensus in LGBTIQ communities and community organisations that the current policing model in NSW isn’t serving us. more

Also, the community forum this week (which I didn't go as I don't want to sit in the same room with the cops) appears to have gained some resonance with the police who claimed to have listened. Um, I'll believe that when I see it in action, but anyway the issues raised were as follows.

Security contractors – conduct at events, training

Drug detection dogs – abuse of strategy, lack of oversight, constituting community members as criminals, damage to community relations, lack of finds/false positives, independent observers?

Police Conduct – Intimidation, mistreatment, internal culture, targeting, assault allegation, harassment during parade, searches without reasonable grounds, strip searches, homophobia, need for oversight

Police training and education – diversity training, collaborative briefing (Mardi Gras, ACON, etc)

Police complaints – due process, volume, lack of follow up, sanctions for officers (suspension), need to lodge complaints

Negative perception to visitors

Community response – role of Mardi Gras

Scale of Police operations – roads (policing access/crossing), number of officers deployed, deployment criteria (outside LACs).

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Listening to dozens of accounts of inappropriate police behaviour during Mardi Gras season, last night the message from Surry Hills Local Area Commander Superintendent Tony Crandell’s message to attendees of the Police Community Forum was: “You’ve spoken. We’ve listened. More to come.” 

Of the around 200 concerned individuals who met in a Surry Hills hall last night to share their concerns, many of them took their opportunity to speak passionately about their personal experiences being harassed by officers during recent Mardi Gras events. 

The situation gained widespread public attention when video of 18-year-old Jamie Jackson hit YouTube, but the issues raised last night involved much more than just one teenager at the parade. Tensions over the use of sniffer dogs at the parties, over-policing of various Mardi Gras events and perceived homophobia from officers brought in from outside the local area has been brewing since long before this season’s events. 

Superintendent Crandell spoke to Same Same just after the meeting, and admitted “it was a very difficult environment. But I feel very positive that we have can work through these issues and get this right, particularly in relation to the Mardi Gras season 2014. 

“This level of disquiet has resonated greatly with me, and I have some work to do.” more

I guess, as was said at the meeting, "more to come"......