Watchdog considers claims of 'over-the-top policing' at LGBTQIA+ clubs

There have been complaints about NSW Police officers carrying out drug raids on venues and streets on and around Oxford Street. (Supplied) The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission will consider allegations NSW Police officers acted aggressively during drug detection operations at several Oxford Street venues. More than 90 people were searched during the operation, with one person charged over alleged drug offences. NSW Police said officers had engaged with the community to discuss their concerns. Link copiedShareShare articleAllegations of police aggression and intimidation during a drug operation at LGBTQIA+ venues across Sydney's Oxford Street will be considered by the law enforcement watchdog. Officers attended locations such as Universal Sydney, Kinselas and Palms on Saturday, June 13, as part of what NSW Police described as an "intelligence-led, prevention-focused, high-visibility policing operation in the Surry Hills area". Police said 93 people were searched and 42 drug detections made, with officers also identifying a number of offences under the Liquor Act. A number of patrons subsequently raised concerns about officers' conduct, with Kristoffer Vucak saying he found it "really confronting" and "not in the spirit of what you'd expect on a night out". Kristoffer Vucak says the conduct of police officers was "really confronting". (ABC News: Alexander Lewis) Mr Vucak was at Kinselas sharing a drink with friends when he saw a young man being searched, surrounded by about 12 officers and sniffer dogs. "He [the man] was very distraught about it, you could see on his face … he was blindsided by the whole thing," Mr Vucak told the ABC. "I was a bit shocked because during the search they actually put his hands behind his back and handcuffed him; he just literally stood there on the street for everyone to see." After about 20 minutes of degrading him, Mr Vucak said, the police just let him go. He found what took place to be "outrageous". "To see that level of hard-handedness from the police, especially on the LGBT community … it really catches you off-guard and really ruins your night and gives inherent distrust to the police force," he said. Mr Barnes says that while it is important that police patrol streets, he was "not impressed" with how the raids were handled. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis) Rebbell Barnes also witnessed the body search. The 78er said the incident brought back memories of being at the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, which started peacefully but ended in brutal arrests by violent police. "[I was] just not impressed in the way it was handled," Mr Barnes said. "But I do believe we need the presence of the police on the streets, no matter what suburb it is, but not in that capacity, it's too intimidating. It's just not necessary. "I haven't seen a group of police since 1978 in my life at any venue that I've been to, so it made me feel a bit ill." What has added to the community's frustration over the raids, he added, was that they took place during Pride Month. "It's like 'Here we go again and it's Pride Month' … in the manner it was done and what I saw, it's not right." Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said neither had "received so many complaints about police in more than 10 years". "We have been inundated with reports from constituents who were out in the precinct on Saturday night, many celebrating Pride Month, when large groups of between six and 12 officers with drug detection dogs descended on the precinct, saturating venues and intimidating people trying to enjoy their night," the pair wrote in a letter to Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC. "Constituents tell us that police pushed, shoved and aggressively directed patrons to move, shining bright flashlights in their faces, sometimes laughing and appearing to enjoy themselves. "People were subjected to searches in full public view, pushed against walls, forced to remove clothing and have their body searched. "They report feeling humiliated; one person felt so traumatised that they couldn't stop crying afterwards and had to leave." More than 90 people were searched during the operation. (Supplied) Cr Moore and Mr Greenwich said there were also reports of police "using intimidating and hostile language without provocation or justification". "We heard from patrons who were told to 'f*** off' or told 'if you don't like it, move to Melbourne'," they stated in the letter. Cr Moore and Mr Greenwich have requested the LECC investigate the allegations "and recommend changes to protect the community from aggressive, intimidating and unprofessional policing". In a statement, the LECC confirmed it would consider the complaint and supporting material "before making a decision about the next steps." NSW Police Superintendent Peter Glynn said the operation "aimed to proactively disrupt drug supply and address anti-social behaviou

Watchdog considers claims of 'over-the-top policing' at LGBTQIA+ clubs

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