Black lives matter Australia: NSW cop apologises for flashing white power symbol to camera

A NSW police officer has apologised after he was caught on camera flashing what appeared to be a white power symbol.

A NSW cop was caught on camera flashing what appeared to be a white power symbol, but has since apologised for any misunderstanding.

The police officer was tracked down by NSW Police and claimed he had no idea of the loaded meaning behind the symbol.

The photo was posted to Twitter this morning, with the poster accusing the cop of creating a “W” and “P” with his fingers, which has become a white supremacy symbol standing for white power.

It comes as Aussies across the nation marched in solidarity with America’s Black Lives Matter protests, to put an end to institutionalised racism especially towards our indigenous peoples.

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The cop flashing the controversial symbol. Picture: Supplied

“In response to the video, Australia’s former race discrimination commissioner Tim Soutphommasane tweeted: “Given previous controversies involving police in Australia about this, no police officer can pretend they don’t know this is a sign appropriated by white supremacists.””

“The officer has been spoken to and did not intentionally make a gesture that could be deemed offensive,” a spokesperson from NSW Police told news.com.au.

“Further, the officer indicated he was responding to a group of women about the night being ‘okay’ and used a hand symbol as he was wearing a face mask.

Although the symbol also means “okay” or “all is well” universally, it was recently popularised to become a symbol of the far right.

“He did not know the gesture had any other meaning,” NSW police assured the public.

“The NSW Police Force works closely to foster a strong and cohesive partnership with Aboriginal communities and other groups.”

Protesters were met with a show of force as hundreds of NSW Police officers prepared for more Stop All Black Deaths in Custody action. Picture: Matrix pictures

However, the person who took the photo and was still a little unsure.

“I call bullsh*t,” she told news.com.au.

“He knew what he was doing, he looked directly to camera, and he would've known the context of that symbol from his Victorian siblings of November last year. “

Some social media users were concerned by the photo, while others defended the gesture.

It's the signal for OK. Nothing to do with white supremacy.

— Mickyb 🇦🇺 (@Mickyb97025586) June 12, 2020

THE HISTORY OF WHITE POWER

In recent years, touching your thumb and index finger to make a circle, with the remaining three fingers held outstretched, has come to mean something quite sinister.

Christchurch mass murderer Brenton Tarrant brought the symbol into the international spotlight when he smiled and flashed the sign to reporters at a court hearing on his case.

Brenton Tarrant gives a white power symbol in court

The gesture has become an extremist meme, according to the Anti-Defamation League.