Auckland's "most accessible mayor ever" says his city should have more gay police officers. Banks says he received a delegation of gay people early in his mayoralty, voicing their concerns at the number of gay-bashings occurring in Queen Street. “I fixed it. I called the [Police] District Commander down to my office and told him we can't have gay men bashed on Queen Street. We can't have anyone bashed, and in particular just because they're gay. Fix it! And he did. We put a gay police officer undercover on the street with walkie-talkies and cameras and we caught them.” His stance is in marked contrast to his previous public position. Banks was National's Minister of Police during the fight for Human Rights legislation and campaigned that the NZ police should be exempt from the legislation as NZers would never accept “policemen in tutus.” Asked after his appearance at the GABA Mayoral Candidates' Forum whether has been aware of any policemen in tutus on Auckland streets during his reign, Mayor Banks laughed and replied “No... there are not enough of them.” He says he believes all minorities in the community “deserve respect and to be treated well.” John Banks says he is accessible to the media, describing himself as “the most accessible mayor ever,” though he has repeatedly turned down interview requests from gay media since he was elected. Asked about his relationship on social issues with the conservative Citizens
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 13th September 2004 - 12:00pm