Adney leaves GLBTI role amidst high praise

GLBTI community figures have united to express appreciation for Chief Superintendent Donna Adney, the GLBTI Corporate Spokesperson for NSW Police, who departs the position this week after more than five years in the role.

Supt Adney, who is bound for a new post at the NSW Police Dog Unit, was widely praised as having transformed the relationship between GLBTI communities and police.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill captured the general mood, opining that Supt Adney had changed the relationship for the better.

“As the inaugural spokesperson, she has shaped the role into an important resource and contact point for the community regarding policing issues,” said Mr Parkhill.

“There’s no question that the links between the GLBTI community and the NSW Police Force are more resilient today because of Donna’s extraordinary efforts.”

The NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) said Supt Adney had strengthened the relationship between gays and police via constant dialogue.

“She has continually engaged with community groups and individuals, identifying what needs to be done to improve the relationship between police and the community, then taking steps to make that happen,” said GLRL Policy & Project Officer Jed Horner.

Independent gay activist Gary Burns praised Supt Adney’s regular training days for police officers, which he said brought about attitudinal changes within the police force.

“Training officers about issues like ‘beats’ and same-sex domestic violence has given them an understanding of the issues that affect our community,” said Mr Burns.

“Donna’s training has opened minds and changed attitudes, leading to better policing outcomes for our community.”

Key local politicians also paid tribute. Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich thanked Supt Adney for “pushing reform within NSW Police”. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Supt Adney “worked to encourage individuals to feel confident when reporting crime, violence and abuse”.

But a note of discord was sounded by Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH). A CAAH statement said: “[Supt] Adney has never spoken for the gay and lesbian community, she has only spoken for the police.”

The statement claimed she “had not reached out” to the victims of several alleged assaults by police at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras. The incidents remain subject to an ongoing internal investigation.

Supt Adney, meanwhile, thanked the GLBTI community for working with her and said she would take away many positive experiences from the role.

“I have met some very clever, dedicated and passionate people who work tirelessly for the GLBTI communities – and as a result I have been able to raise awareness across the NSW Police Force and the broader communities of the challenges faced by [GLBTI people],” she said.

“I have many great memories and experiences from my time as Corporate Spokesperson, and due to the willingness of the GLBTI communities and Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers to share their experiences, I will always have strong views against homophobia and transphobia, and seek to raise awareness and increase inclusion.”

Supt Adney said she was confident her replacement, Supt Tony Crandell, would continue to improve the relationship between GLBTI people and police.

Supt Crandell, the Surry Hills Local Area Commander, will officially commence as NSW Police GLBTI Corporate Spokesperson on Thursday, July 25.