Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has released more footage of a Mardi Gras incident between a reveller and police which has sparked widespread outrage.
A Mardi Gras reveller who was handcuffed when police apparently threw him to the ground has been charged.
Jamie Jackson the Mardi Gras reveller at the centre of the YouTube clip. Picture: Facebook Source: The Daily Telegraph
- Video shows man being arrested at Mardi Gras
- He cries: "I didn't do anything"
- Man ends up on ground with officer's foot on his back
PROTESTERS will march at a Sydney police station on Friday over the alleged police brutality at the Mardi Gras.
Police Minister Mike Gallacher earlier said there was no need for an independent investigation into the arrest of a man at the Sydney Mardi Gras.
But police announced today that it had launched two internal investigations after video footage surfaced on YouTube of an officer throwing a handcuffed and shirtless teen, Jamie Jackson, to the ground and stepping on his back while he was celebrating Mardi Gras.
The NSW Greens and a City of Sydney councillor have called for an independent inquiry into the matter, saying the investigation shouldn't be left to police.
Mr Gallacher says the NSW Ombudsman will review the incident and an additional investigation is not necessary.
"For anyone to suggest that the ombudsman is not independent, they're being very, very unfair," he told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
"I'm satisfied the ombudsman is independent, is truly independent of the NSW Police Force
Mr Jackson has been charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest and using offensive language in public.
The 18 year old updated his Facebook status this morning with: "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING!!!!"
"I just watched that video which I believe is you in it being completely mistreated by the police. I hope your okay and I'm so sorry something like that has happened to you," one Facebook friend wrote.
Picture: via YouTube Source: Supplied
"I was in total shock when that officer threw you onto the pavement.. No one ever deserves that kind of treatment and disrespect. Looking at how this has gone viral and the shares, something will be done about this and not be ignored. Hang in there Jamie x," another responded.
Jamie's father Stephen Reed said his son was a "good kid".
"I had no idea about it until this morning until I got a text at 7am saying 'oh my God, Jamie is on TV'," he said.
"I'm devastated.
"He's not a big boy … and seeing him being thrown around like a rag doll and (police) stepping on him too … I'm still a bit shaken up by it."
Mr Reed said he had been unable to contact his son, who lives in the Sutherland Shire, since the incident.
"No one can find him. He lost his mobile on that night and we haven't been able to contact him since," he said.
"(Jamie's relatives) are just angry at police, at that one policeman.
"Whatever happened before (the footage started) he shouldn't have been thrown like that, it's just dangerous."
A clip from a YouTube video posted after Mardi Gras purports to show a young man as a victim of police brutality. Source: Supplied
Assistant commissioner Mark Murdoch said officers from Fairfield and Parramatta will be investigated internally.
"We have initiated two internal investigations. Both those investigations have been referred to our Professional Standards Command,'' he told reporters this morning.
"Those investigations will be oversighted by the NSW Ombudsman and Police Integrity Commission should they feel fit to do so.
"I should also make clear both incidents now the subject of criminal proceedings, both of which are before the courts and I need to be measured about what I make comment on.''
"In the first incident at 10pm, we will allege the young man used offensive language, assaulted police and then subsequently resisted arrest. In the second incident at 11.30pm we will allege the gentlemen assaulted a sergeant.''
Both incidents occurred on Oxford St but were separate.
Mr Murdoch said there was obviously more to the incidents than what appears on YouTube.
The four-minute video was purportedly recorded after the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, and was posted on YouTube on Monday.
Scroll down to watch the video in full (language warning)
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has also expressed concern at video footage of a police officer's alleged brutal treatment of a reveller at this year's Mardi Gras.
Jamie Jackson the Mardi Gras reveller at the centre of the YouTube clip. Picture: Facebook Source: The Daily Telegraph
Mr Greenwich said, "this footage is certainly distressing and I will be calling for a full investigation."
"I have also spoken with other parade goers who have described similar events and will be bring this to the Police Minister's attention as a matter of urgency."
Mardi Gras organisers said they had viewed the video yesterday.
"This incident is quite distressing and our thoughts are with the individual, his family, friends and those that witnessed this," they said in a statement issued early on Wednesday.
This still image from a YouTUbe video purportedly shows a policeman throwing a young man to the ground during the Sydney Mardi Gras. Source: Supplied
The video appears to show a young man with a head wound, apparently being taken into custody by several police officers.
Mr Jackson is seen crying and repeating that he "didn't do anything wrong".
An officer is then seen to throw the man, who has his hands cuffed behind his back, to the ground before standing with one foot on his back for at least 20 seconds.
"Following vision of the event being made available to police, an internal investigation will be launched to determine the full circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident," the officer said.
The video does not capture the initial encounter between the young man and officers, but a woman interviewed in the blurry film says: "This (officer) here grabbed his throat and smashed his skull on the pavement."
Another woman is heard to say: "They just slammed his head. There's blood all over the ground."
Mardi Gras organisers said they had viewed the video late on Tuesday.
"This incident is quite distressing and our thoughts are with the individual, his family, friends and those that witnessed this," they said in a statement issued early on Wednesday.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has released more footage of a Mardi Gras incident between a reveller and police which has sparked widespread outrage.
The video came without any context, Mr Greenwich said, but at first viewing it was "extremely distressing".
Mr Greenwich said he was aware of at least one other incident involving allegations of undue force from police at the weekend event.
Prominent gay rights activist Bryn Hutchinson claimed he was thrown to the ground after he ignored police instructions not to cross a road.
The gay sister of federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Christine Forster, said she could "barely watch" the video.
"Terrible to see such an incident when Mardi Gras is such a celebration of community," the local politician tweeted, under the hashtag #MardiGrasBrutality.
Ten thousand members and supporters of the gay community took part in the parade on Saturday night with thousands more flocking to the Oxford Street precinct to watch.
Mr Greenwich expressed great respect for the way the local police have worked with Sydney's LGBTI community:
"The local commands around Sydney have proven to be very supportive and worked well with the gay and lesbian community. This is what makes the footage so surprising and concerning"
About 1000 extra officers patrolled the event.
- With AAP
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