Police re-invited to march at Mardi Gras – but not in uniform - 9News

NSW Police have been re-invited to march in Saturday's Mardi Gras parade but won't wear their uniforms as the LGBTQ community mourns the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, who were allegedly murdered by a serving officer.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said this afternoon an agreement had been reached with event organisers after days of discussions.

"The Mardi Gras board has reached an agreement with us that will allow NSW Police to march in this year's parade," she said.

NSW Police will be allowed to march in Saturday's Mardi Gras parade, but won't wear their uniforms. (AAP)

"Police have agreed to not march in uniform, in consideration of current sensitivities.

"I am delighted that our LGBTQIA+ officers, as well as our other police who are allies and supporters, will be allowed to march this year as they have done for the past 20 years."

Police had been uninvited from marching by organisers on Monday night after senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with murdering Baird and Davies last week. 

An image of a uniformed Lamarre-Condon marching in a previous Mardi Gras had bolstered calls to ban police from this year's event.

While the decision was backed by some, others, including the state's only openly gay male MP, Alex Greenwich, said police should march.

"There are many gay and lesbian police officers who look forward to showing their support for the LGBTQ community at Mardi Gras by marching.

"Now, there is certainly a great deal of work that police need to do to improve trust and improve community safety, but I think that starts with working together, not excluding the police from Mardi Gras."

Webb on Monday said not letting her officers march would be a "travesty" and "would set us backwards".

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were allegedly murdered by serving police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon. (Facebook)

Discussions continued between the Mardi Gras board and police, and Webb said she would work to improve the relationship between the community and officers.

"The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an important event on the NSW Police calendar and as Commissioner, I am committed to continuing to strengthen the relationship between my organisation and the LGBTQIA+ community," she said.

"I thank the Mardi Gras Board for the cordial discussions over the past few days."

Lamarre-Condon allegedly used his police service pistol to kill Baird and Davies last Monday before using a hire van and two surfboard bags to transport their bodies to a property in Bungonia, in the Southern Tablelands region.

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2024-02-28 05:53:29Z
CBMimAFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvbWFyZGktZ3Jhcy0yMDI0LXBvbGljZS1hbGxvd2VkLXRvLW1hcmNoLW5vLXVuaWZvcm0tamVzc2UtYmFpcmQtbHVrZS1kYXZpZXMtZGVhdGhzLzJmMWE3OGNhLTg0MTgtNGE3YS05NWE0LTc1YjVjODljNzBlMtIBRWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLjluZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzJmMWE3OGNhLTg0MTgtNGE3YS05NWE0LTc1YjVjODljNzBlMg

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