Wherefore art though, Commissioner?

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has fallen foul of gay activists who claim he has “gone to ground” after members of the public were allegedly assaulted by police officers at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras festival.

Activists are angry that Mr Scipione failed to attend a community forum on the issue in Surry Hills on Tuesday night organised by state Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich and NSW Police, and has so far refused to address the matter in any way, despite the incidents attracting worldwide media attention.

The apparent snub by the Police Commissioner follows dismissive comments made by NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Murdoch at a press conference on March 6, where he said the Mardi Gras incidents were “not a super-big problem”.

Internal police investigations are currently underway into the alleged bashing of 18-year-old Jamie Jackson and 32-year-old Bryn Hutchinson by police officers at the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 2, and the treatment of 55-year-old Gary Leeson, who says police forced him to strip naked during a drug search outside the Mardi Gras Harbour Party on Saturday, February 23. No drugs were found on Mr Leeson.

Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) co-convenor Cat Rose said the attitude of Mr Scipione was “clear to see” and cast serious doubt on the internal investigations.

“Police at the top aren’t taking this seriously,” said Ms Rose.

“You have to question police investigating themselves, especially when the person in charge isn’t interested,” she said.

“I’m not surprised the Commissioner is avoiding this because NSW Police close ranks and stick together when they do something wrong.”

Independent gay activist Gary Burns went further, calling on the State Government to sack Mr Scipione.

Mr Burns said the Mardi Gras incidents were part of a long line of serious mistakes by NSW Police under Mr Scipione’s tenure, including the deaths of 21-year-old Roberto Curti and 36-year-old Adam Salter at the hands of police.

Mr Curti died in March last year after being tasered 14 times, capsicum sprayed and crushed by a pile of up to 11 police officers, after taking LSD and stealing two packets of biscuits from a convenience store.

36-year-old Mr Salter was shot dead in his own home in November 2009 after police responded to reports that he was stabbing himself with a knife. Deputy State Coroner Scott Mitchell subsequently found Mr Salter was self-harming and of no threat to anyone else.

“These Mardi Gras incidents are just the latest in a long line of very serious mistakes under Mr Scipione’s watch,” said Mr Burns.

“We’ve seen the killing of Mr Salter, we’ve seen the death of Mr Curti, we’ve seen police lying to the Police Integrity Commission, covering up their assault [of Corey Barker] in a police cell in Ballina, and much more,” he said.

“Enough is enough. Mr Scipione’s contract should be torn up and used as kitty litter.”

Mr Scipione did not respond to emails by deadline.