.. From Press Release 20/5/04

Today the South Australian Chapter of the Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club revealed that the Police Complaints Authority had informed the club that South Australian Police refused to further investigate the matter of police behaviour during the Beachport Run in 2001. The reason cited for the refusal to pursue the matter was now “too long ago”. This was in stark contrast to Police Commissioner Mal Hyde’s recommendation to the GJMC to pursue the matter via the Police Complaints Authority made on ABC radio’s Morning Show on October 24th, 2003.

The club believes that the refusal to investigate the matters raised about Beachport is further evidence of a continuing and sustained effort by elements of the police to cover up police brutality. Specifically, the Gypsy Jokers and supporters have evidence of STAR being a rogue unit of SAPOL. To date, instances of brutality perpetrated by STAR and endorsed by senior police include the Baxter Detention Centre, Roxby Downs and Beverley Uranium Mine protesters and activists and even youths’ birthday parties.

Parliamentarian Kris Hanna (Greens, South Australia) asked a question in Parliament in December 2003 relating to actions of STAR. The South Australian Minister for Police has responded in April 2004 by stating that “no disciplinary actions have been taken against members of the STAR Force or any other police”, indicating that a cover up is in place by SAPOL and/or the government.

The Club called upon any person with any information relating to STAR force brutality to urgently ring the STAR Force Corruption Hotline on 1800 625 677. If you are calling from a mobile phone, the 1800 number will not work and you will need to call 0423 710 842. The hotline is confidential and staffed by volunteers who are unaffiliated with the Gypsy Jokers MC.