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Sydney police watchdog opens inquiry into Herzog protest, finds 'limited evidence' of protester violence
NSW's Law Enforcement Conduct Commission opened public hearings on October 19 into police conduct at February's anti-Isaac Herzog protest at Sydney Town Hall. Counsel assisting said protesters were 'largely peaceful'; the inquiry will examine police use of OC spray and officers 'boasting about gratuitous force'.
Why it matters
NSW's police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), opened public hearings on October 19 into policing of the February 9 protest at Sydney Town Hall against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Counsel assisting the commission, Kirsten Edwards SC, said protesters were "largely peaceful" and there was "limited evidence of physical violence on the part of the protesters".
Scope of the inquiry
The LECC said it had received more than 800 complaints and was reviewing about 400 public complaints alongside roughly 1,000 hours of footage. The inquiry will examine police use of OC spray, officers "boasting about gratuitous force", the improper use of arrest powers, and police planning ahead of the protest. Edwards said behaviour police described as aggressive was mostly verbal and linked to a wish to march, with footage showing organisers at various points trying to calm clashes with police.
Commissioner's bid for private hearings rejected
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon had sought private hearings without livestreaming on September 9; the LECC rejected the bid on October 8. The public opening address took place on October 19, followed by five weeks of private witness examinations, after which senior officers will give public testimony. The backdrop: viral footage from the protest night showed officers punching protesters and pulling away Muslim worshippers at sunset prayers, fuelling police brutality allegations; more than 30 people were charged after the protest.
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