Police watchdog orders misconduct investigation after gay club drug raids

The watchdog will probe allegations of police aggression during a drug operation at LGBTQIA+ venues in Sydney. (Supplied) The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has ordered the NSW Police commissioner to investigate drug raids at Sydney gay bars. Police were accused of aggression and carrying out "humiliating" searches on club-goers at LGBTQIA+ venues this month. The raids triggered a complaint from Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Link copiedShareShare articleThe police watchdog has ordered a misconduct investigation into allegations of "excessive" drug raids on several Sydney gay bars. Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore complained to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) last week after the operation on June 13. They said club-goers reported being shoved, pushed against walls, forced to remove clothing in full public view, and interrogated for using the bathroom, as officers led sniffer dogs through venues including Universal, Kinselas, and Palms. Club-goers reported being shoved, pushed against walls, and forced to remove clothing in full public view. (ABC News: Jak Rowland) It is also alleged officers laughed and appeared to enjoy themselves as they shone bright flashlights in the faces of patrons, some of whom reported being told to "f*** off" and "if you don't like it, move to Melbourne". "There is footage of humiliating searches in front of crowds," Mr Greenwich and Cr Moore wrote. In response to the pair on Friday, the LECC's Acting Chief Commissioner, Anina Johnson, said her agency had referred the complaint to NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. "The Commission acknowledges the significance of the concerns that you have raised and appreciates the effort you have made to bring them to our attention," Commissioner Johnson said in a letter. The raids were conducted during Pride Month celebrations. (ABC News: Jak Rowland) She said the force was required to notify the watchdog of the action it proposed to take in response to the complaint. "The LECC will then assess the NSW Police Force response. The LECC has a number of statutory powers that it can use to ensure that the complaint is properly investigated." Commissioner Johnson said the complaint material was given to police on Monday "to facilitate the timely preservation" of evidence, including CCTV and body-worn camera footage. The ABC contacted NSW Police for comment. Alex Greenwich condemned footage showing what he described as "humiliating searches". (ABC News) Last week, NSW Police said searches of 93 people resulted in 42 drug detections during the operation. Just one person, a 20-year-old man, was charged with the supply of drugs less than a commercial quantity. Mr Greenwich said it was a "welcome first step" the LECC had acknowledged the seriousness of the complaint and compelled the police commissioner to investigate. "I made this complaint as my community should be able to go out, celebrate Pride Month, support LGBTQ venues and not be afraid of police intimidation," Mr Greenwich said. "Anyone who wishes to share their experience on the evening can still contact my officer, the Inner City Legal Centre, or the LECC directly." The raids were debated in state parliament this week, with Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann accusing the police of harassing patrons and harming the city's nightlife. "After it happened on that night, the place emptied and [one] nightclub received about 70 per cent less in turnover," Ms Faehrmann said on Tuesday. Labor backbencher Stephen Lawrence said the allegations seemed to be "part and parcel" of police searches and invited the public to reconsider the criminalisation of drug possession. "It is not always a pretty thing when police officers enforce drug laws," Mr Lawrence said. "To be frank, not condoning anything improper that has occurred, I think that, in a way, it is good that these sorts of operations have occurred in a high-profile place […] to people who have a high capacity to complain." "It casts a spotlight on our drug possession laws and asks the community whether that is what we really want. What we saw at Oxford Street is just the reality of the enforcement of drug laws." Police said searches of 93 people resulted in 42 drug detections. (ABC News: Jak Rowland) The complaints have prompted at least one resignation from the LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee, which was established in 2024 to promote a better relationship between police and the rainbow community. In a letter to NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker, 78er and historian Garry Wotherspoon quit the committee, saying the raids sent a "chill". "What happened recently harks back to the early 1980s, when those notorious police raids on Club 80 occurred," Mr Wotherspoon wrote. "I would have thought that there are more pressing issues for police to turn their attention to — protecting the lives of NSW citizens — rather than harassing people who are havin

Police watchdog orders misconduct investigation after gay club drug raids

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Police watchdog orders misconduct investigation after gay club drug raids

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