Police are accused of targeting the queer community through a series of raids of bars on Australia's most famous LGBTQI district during Pride Month.
Large groups of officers, accompanied by sniffer dogs, descended on Oxford Street and its venues in central Sydney on Saturday.
They allegedly shoved, berated and forced patrons to remove their clothes in public view as part of drug searches, according to a joint letter from Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Sydney Mayor Clover Moore.
One person who was searched felt so traumatised they could not stop crying, while another said they were only searched after a dog was directed to sit near them.
During a drag show that night, LGBTQI bar Universal Sydney was stormed by police who refused to leave, causing swathes of patrons to head for the doors.
Tim Millgate, who performs drag as Tina Turnon, was at Universal throughout the raid.
He said patrons felt intimidated by police aggression due to the force's already strained relationship with the LGBTQI community.
"I've been going out on Oxford St for over 15 years ... police operations like that need fair bit of planning, and I really can't understand why last Saturday night was chosen as the night to do a huge raid on multiple gay venues," he told AAP.
"A lot of work has gone into mending the relationship and they've brought that undone - it did not feel like they were trying to keep us safe."
A 2023 report from a NSW inquiry into LGBTQI hate crimes found police had failed to investigate potential gay hate crimes for decades.
Ten years earlier, LGBTQI community members and allies rallied against police after footage showed an officer throwing a handcuffed teenager to the ground during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Mr Greenwich and Ms Moore's letter said they had not received that many complaints about police in more than 10 years.
"There was no riot or crime wave on Oxford Street last Saturday night that warranted such excessive, aggressive and intimidating police actions," they wrote.
A number of hospitality workers felt unsafe over fears the police conduct could impact their privacy, employment or immigration status.
Throughout the night, police also told revellers to "f*** off" or said "if you don't like it, move to Melbourne", the letter alleged.
NSW Police confirmed they conducted an operation intended to "proactively disrupt drug supply and address anti-social behaviour".
Officers conducted 93 searches, which resulted in 42 drug detections.
"Persistent tension with the policing of areas such as Oxford St is civilians witnessing police operations may consider the scale of the police operation to be disproportionate to any visible threat," University of Newcastle criminologist Justin Ellis told AAP.
A NSW Police spokesperson said Surry Hills Police Area Command recognise the importance of community feedback and maintaining trust in police.
"Through ongoing engagement and partnership, our focus is on reducing violence, crime, and fear, while ensuring Surry Hills continues to be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all," they said.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
