The commissioner of a misconduct inquiry into strip searches conducted on minors at a Sydney music festival has slammed police record keeping as 'baffling'. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) is holding public hearings into strip searches at the Lost City Music Festival at Sydney Olympic Park in February.
Some searches occurred after security officers rounded up eight young people, including one who sold a pink pill to an undercover guard, and called police. The LECC heard an entry on the police database COPS incorrectly listed only one officer involved, while a detective sergeant codenamed GEN7 said there were 'at least five or six' officers present.
Commissioner Michael Adams QC said this defied 'record keeping 101', adding: 'I understand the system could be better, but this is not rocket science.' Another officer with 26 years of experience admitted he did not ask a youth if he wanted a parent present before a strip search, despite being aware of the legal requirement under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act.
The officer defended his actions, stating he believed delaying the search would lead to evidence being concealed or destroyed. The commission heard a boy, codenamed GEN15C, claimed an officer touched his testicles and rubbed his buttocks during the search without wearing gloves. The officer denied this, saying youths were only asked to pull their underwear out for a visual inspection, which he felt maintained privacy.
Of the 31 searches performed at the festival, a parent, guardian or independent support person was present in only six cases.
