Comments on: Reaction to 60 Minutes 19/04/2009 — Riot Squad Segment

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:46:38 +0000

It is a fact that in kings cross a police officer will be assaulted on average 3 times a year. not including being spat on, being pissed on coping mountains of abuse. And in Kings cross a person mouthing of at a cop turns into a person punching a cop or trying to very quickly so that response is very appropriate for that hell hole of an area.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 11 May 2009 01:28:23 +0000

Weeell Shannon, I guess that depends on what you mean by “the segment of the community subjected to it”. As an occasional party animal who has never hurt or even mildly inconvenienced another person while I’m out and about, I think I’d feel pretty hard done by being asked to move along if I was just sitting on a fountain and minding my own business.

I think the Cross is a bit of a trouble spot, and perhaps the police response is appropriate for that location (I don’t think so, but I’ll accept the possibility). The 60 Minutes article seemed to make a point of implying that trouble and violence have become an endemic, nation-wide issue and that these tactics were needed to bring “the youth” into line. It was shoddy, poorly supported reporting.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 11 May 2009 01:22:11 +0000

I've never seen anyone on e be particularly violent - but I don't doubt that party drugs are a big problem! I think Sydney (and particularly Kings Cross) is an unusual environment in Australia. The Cross has a very high density of drinking establishments and is a bit of a go-to place for people looking to have a "huge" night. As I said, I don't disagree with the mission of the Riot Squad. I think if this portrayal of them is accurate, they might be coming on a bit strong - not sure if it's strictly accurate though, I'd love to meet those guys and see what they do myself. I do disagree with the broad vilification of "youth" (we're not all scumbag troublemakers; most of us do occasionally have big nights and don't hurt anyone in the process!) and the shoddy, sensationalist reporting from a program that once had a reputation for hard-hitting, factual journalism.

By: Ben Redfern

Ben Redfern — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:54:05 +0000

I don’t entirely agree with your comments. I do believe that the drug squad is far too aggressive and are quite terrifying. That was a fair point, so was your view on the sensationalistic way that 60 minutes reported on the Riot Squad. It was very tacky I felt. However, I must bring forward to you another reason why a riot squad was considered neccessary. “Party Drugs” like ecstacy and Ice can cause people to become very violent, incredibly strong and extremelly spontaneous. They cause alot of damage to themselves, property, their friends and bystanders that are unfortunate enough to get in the way. It is because of these people that a full-time Riot Squad is needed on the streets of Sydney. Your points were well supported and well written and I do partly agree with you, but I would like you to consider the element of the violent spontaneity of people that are under the influence of drugs. If there were no drug-taking fools in Sydney then there would be no need for a riot squad.

By: Alison Quinn

Alison Quinn — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:07:03 +0000

Well done boys, I thought I was the only person on earth that was not 'impressed' by their standover tactics and over-zealous egos! Since when is walking up to a small group of people and hassling them, in their job description? 'Mohummad' said it best when he asked the police officer why they were interogating them when they were just sitting on a fountain? Let the term 'riot' be applied when calling in these thugs to intimidate others. Don't let them just roam the streets, looking to start one!

By: rossco

rossco — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:41:05 +0000

Hey, guess what, the segment of the community who are subjected to this excessive force are completely deserving of it. The situation on Sydney streets has gotten the way it has because of a soft approach for far too long, and I completely support NSW police for taking the initiative. Lets face it, if you got bashed just for having a few drinks on Saturday by anonymous thugs looking for a fight, the first thing you’d winge is “Where were the bloody cops, what do we pay them for?”.

By: Brent

Brent — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:21:19 +0000

Couldn’t agree with you more. I think while trying to instill fear in the so-called trouble makers they instead paint themselves as bullies on a power trip. I know if for whatever reason if I was the recipient of a police “spear tackle” I’d be on the phone to my lawyer the second I was on my feet.

By: Greg Haye

Greg Haye — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:06:50 +0000

Bravo! I agree with you wholeheartedly. The Riot Squad make me scared to leave the house — when they should be doing the opposite!

I was absolutely appalled by their thuggish, bullying attitude and behaviour. The sooner they are off the streets the better. Give me a few drunken louts any day.