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NSW Police are hopeful of reaching an agreement with organisers that will allow members of the force to participate in Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras parade this weekend.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board on Monday , due to the additional distress it could cause the LGBTIQ+ community following t by a serving officer.
Senior police met with Mardi Gras organisers on Tuesday morning to discuss whether the decision could be reversed.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the meeting was “fruitful”, noting it was just a starting point.
She said officers marching out of uniform was something she hadn’t ruled out.
“As the commissioner, I can make those decisions – and I will talk with both the corporate sponsor and some of those officers to see how they feel,” she told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
Webb said the police, like the rest of the community, had been “rocked” by Baird and Davies’ alleged murders.
“There’s some positives that could come out of participating in Mardi Gras on Saturday, but it’s early days and we’ve got a few days left to work through this with Mardi Gras.”
Charlie Murphy from the activist group Pride in Protest said there was a feeling of “overwhelming grief and anger” in the community at the moment.
“We stick behind the decision that the board made,” they said.
“It would be a massive betrayal and an insult to the community if that decision was reversed in any way.”
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had planned to march alongside NSW officers at the Mardi Gras parade but confirmed on Tuesday that they would withdraw.
“Noting news reports that the Sydney Mardi Gras board had asked NSW Police not to march, the AFP has also made the decision not to march,” an AFP spokesperson said in a statement.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but we acknowledge how some in the community are feeling about the blue uniform. We have informed the event organisers of the decision.”
The spokesperson said the AFP understood the “hurt” the LGBTQI+ community was currently feeling, and that federal law enforcers hoped to march again next year.
Before Tuesday’s meeting between NSW Police and Mardi Gras organisers, Premier Chris Minns said he was hopeful it would result in officers being allowed to march.
“I’m not pretending that relations between the community and NSW Police are perfect and many people believe there’s a long way to go, but I think even the harshest critics of the police will say that there has been progress,” he said.
SBS News has contacted Mardi Gras for comment.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
