NSW Police forced to reopen investigation into Sydney gay club drug raids

Watchdog forces NSW Police to reopen misconduct investigation into drug raids at Sydney LGBTQIA+ venues Mon 10 Aug 2026 at 10:06am , updatedMon 10 Aug 2026 at 10:11am In short: The police watchdog has forced NSW Police to reopen a misconduct investigation into drug dog raids in Sydney LGBTQIA+ venues. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich say they have been inundated with reports that police shoved patrons. An initial internal police review did not find any evidence of misconduct or policy breaches by officers involved. Police have been forced to reopen a misconduct investigation over drug dog raids on several Sydney LGBTQIA+ venues after an initial probe cleared officers of wrongdoing, the ABC can reveal. Club-goers were allegedly pushed against walls and forced to strip in public as police led sniffer dogs through venues on and near Oxford Street on June 13 in the middle of Pride Month. Complaints by Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore prompted an internal police review, which last month concluded "no further investigation was warranted". "The assessment did not identify any evidence of misconduct, unlawful conduct, or breaches of NSW Police Force policy by the officers involved," professional standards manager Inspector Michael Butcher said in a letter. In the correspondence to Mr Greenwich and Cr Moore, Inspector Butcher said police had reviewed body-worn video footage, CCTV footage, police records and witness accounts. "The operation was conducted in accordance with applicable NSW Police Force policies and procedures," he said. "As a result, no further action will be taken in relation to this matter." But the police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), has decided to pull rank and use its power to force a probe. "The [LECC] has conducted its own assessment and disagrees with the NSW Police Force's decision not to investigate your complaint," LECC Commissioner Anina Johnson said in a letter last week. "The commission has invoked our statutory powers and directed the NSW Police Force to investigate the matter." The LECC would review the police investigation, Ms Johnson said, and consider whether any further action was needed. Mr Greenwich told the ABC he welcomed the LECC's decision to overrule the police assessment and require a full investigation. "The community raised serious concerns about what occurred on Oxford Street, and those concerns deserve proper, independent scrutiny,"Mr Greenwich said. "This investigation is an important step towards transparency, accountability and rebuilding trust between police and our community." The NSW Police Force has been contacted for comment, while the LECC said it was unable to comment. 'Reducing risks to public safety' In his letter, Inspector Butcher said the decision to target the Oxford Street entertainment precinct "formed part of broader strategies aimed at reducing risks to public safety associated with possession, supply and use of prohibited drugs". He said deployments were informed by intelligence, emerging drug trends, overdoses and fatalities, patterns of drug and alcohol-related offending, and offending within and near licensed premises. In the aftermath of the operation, police said 93 people were searched, 42 drug detections made, and one person charged with supply. In their complaint to the LECC, Mr Greenwich and Cr Moore said they had been inundated with reports from locals, many of whom were out celebrating Pride Month. "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," they said in a letter. "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." 78er Rebbell Barnes, who witnessed a raid at Kinselas, said it brought back memories of the first Mardi Gras parade, which ended in violence at the hands of police. The raids sparked debate in state parliament, with Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann accusing the police of "killing Sydney's nightlife". The furore also led to 78er and historian Garry Wotherspoon quitting the LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee, which was set up to promote a better relationship between police and the rainbow community.