Jamie Jackson Reed wins costs

By Justin Pen

Police have dropped all charges against Jamie Jackson Reed, regarding allegations that the 18-year-old used offensive language, resisted arrest, and assaulted two officers during last year’s Mardi Gras festival.

The withdrawal of charges, and allegations of police brutality and violence, coincides with proposed increases to police powers.

Magistrate Michael Barko dismissed the police case on February 6 and awarded Reed costs amounting to $39,000. Similar charges laid against gay activist Bryn Hutchinson for allegedly assaulting police during last year’s Mardi Gras were dismissed last November.

Video footage of the event depicts Constable Leon Meoxis slamming Reed, already handcuffed, on to the pavement.

NSW independent member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, welcomed the court’s decision.

“It is clear that the LGBTI community will never again accept abuse and discrimination,” he said. ”

“More work needs to be done, and the outcome of this case proves the need for an independent police complaints body.”

Greenwich’s comments echo calls made last year by Greens MLC David Shoebridge.

“The UK and Northern Ireland have reformed their system and established a single independent oversight body,” Shoebridge said, shortly after reports of police violence at last year’s parade.

“If the NSW public is to retain confidence in the oversight of police, this is the model that NSW must adopt.”

Magistrate Barko asserted that Reed had been “brutalised” by the constable. Earlier last year, Meoxis faced Police Integrity Commission investigation over a separate incident during which the constable allegedly used excessive force during an arrest.

It is uncertain, though not unlikely, that Reed will sue for damages resulting from injuries sustained last year.

In another recent case the NSW Police Force was ordered to pay $243,591 in damages to student Rachel Gardner. Gardner’s knee was fractured by acting Sergeant Craig Sands following an altercation between a transit officer and two tourist friends.

Despite these controversial reports of police violence, recent laws to combat alcohol-fuelled violence in the CBD are set to increase police powers.

Among the raft of amendments, fines for public order offences fines, have increased from $200 to $500. Further, fines for failing to comply with “move on” orders from police are set to rise from $200 to $1,100.

Additonal provisions, proposed for March, would attach a mandatory minimum sentence of two years imprisonment for assault on a police officer.