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NSW Police Apologises To Greens MP Over Racist And Sexist Comments

NSW Police apologises to Greens MP over racist and sexist comments

NSW Police have formally apologised to state Greens MP Jenny Leong, after officers posted racist and sexist comments online.

Leong sued the organisation over the 2016 comments under the Racial Discrimination Act.

NSW Police apology for racist and sexist comments

Yesterday, NSW Police released the following public response:

“In December 2017, NSW Police Force made sustained findings including that the off-duty conduct had taken place and took disciplinary action against some of the officers. 

“The NSW Police Force has apologised to Ms Leong.”

The public apology is part of a confidential settlement reached between Leong and NSW Police.

The background

During 2016, Leong championed a campaign by the Greens to end the use of drug sniffer dogs in New South Wales.

The gutless anonymous officers subsequently attacked her online with a series of offensive comments.

An investigation revealed dozens of officers, including senior management, made and liked the offensive remarks.

For example, Sergeant Jack Zaineddine wrote an offensive comment before changing his profile picture to the one used by Leong.

In an effort to mock Leong’s ethnicity, who identifies as a Chinese-Australian, Zaineddine wrote this racist and juvenile comment:

“Nawww tank u hunny…2 dolla sucky sucky lub u long time” and “ob course…Money cheap cheap”.

Additionally, Zaineddine called her father a “swamp monkey”.

After being suspended, Zaineddine subsequently returned to the force and later promoted.

The Police Integrity Commission said it investigated another 10 officers.

The legal action

Leong launched the legal action because NSW Police refused to explain what action it had taken against the officers involved.

In addition to the apology, Leong sought:

  • compensation,
  • police files regarding her complaint,
  • mandated penalties for social media abuse by police
  • and a declaration that the officers had acted in an unlawful, racist way.

“As the Member for Newtown, I can say though I am absolutely committed to the campaign against the use of sniffer dogs in NSW and will continue to call out racism where I see it, particularly when it comes to those in powerful positions in our society.”

NSW Police promised it will introduce social media training to combat the issue.

“The NSW Police Force does not condone or tolerate any form of discrimination whether the conduct occurs on or off duty, and all officers have a legal obligation to report misconduct. 

“Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action.”


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What the experts say

Miles Heffernan from Discrimination Claims expressed disgust at the behaviour of NSW Police.

“Not only are these posts extremely offensive, they are also pathetic and juvenile,” he said.

“The officers responsible deserved instant dismissal for posting such offensive and unlawful comments. 

“And to think NSW Police have to train their officers not to be racist and sexist suggests it has a problem with its recruitment processes.”


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