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NSW Police apologises to Greens MP over racist posts

NSW Police has apologised to a state Greens MP after officers posted racist comments on Facebook in early 2016.

NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong speaks  at NSW parliament.
NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong speaks at NSW parliament. Source: AAP

The NSW police force has officially apologised to state Greens MP Jenny Leong after officers posted racist comments about her on Facebook.

The material mocked Ms Leong's ethnic background and included sexually offensive comments and the line "swamp monkey".

Ms Leong reported the matter to the former Police Integrity Commission and following a finding that there was no reasonable prospect of conviction, it was referred back to the NSW Police Force in 2017 for an internal review into a reported 10 officers.

While Ms Leong received a letter of apology from the commander of two officers involved in November 2018 she said she was still unaware what action was taken against the officers involved.

Jenny Leong speaks at a rally in October.
Jenny Leong speaks at a rally in October. Source: AAP

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This prompted the Newtown MP to lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission alleging the comments amounted to racial hatred under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

She sought an apology from NSW Police and a public statement acknowledging officers engaged in unlawful and offensive behaviour.

She also demanded the force provide cultural and racial awareness training.

NSW Police responded on Monday by stating all officers should treat every member of the community with respect.

"In December 2017, [the] NSW police force made sustained findings including that the off-duty conduct had taken place and took disciplinary action against some of the officers," the force said in a statement.

"The NSW police force has apologised to Ms Leong."

The statement concluded: "As part of the NSW police force's commitment to ongoing training of all officers a training package specifically focusing on the use of social media will be developed to complement the existing training undertaken by all officers and members."

Ms Leong on Monday welcomed the police response.

"This statement was the result of the [AHRC] complaint," she told AAP.

"We settled the complaint on a confidential basis. I'm pleased this is resolved."


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