Police Inquiry Into Alleged Police Violence At Herzog Protest Launched

An independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality at a protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog has been announced.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) said on Friday morning that it was “in the public interest” to investigate the violent clashes between police and demonstrators on Monday

“Following the receipt of a significant number of complaints, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has decided that it is in the public interest to investigate the police operation at Sydney Town Hall,” it said.

“The commission will obtain and review all available material, including video and phone footage, documents, records and other information, including that held by the NSW police force.”

The watchdog will conduct hearings as part of the investigation, and furnish a public report to parliament at its conclusion.

Footage taken on the night appears to show police officers punching protesters, using pepper spray indiscriminately, and forcefully dragging a group of Muslim men kneeling to pray.

Premier Chris Minns said police had done “everything possible” to avoid confrontation, but were left with no choice after protesters defied restrictions preventing them from marching to NSW parliament, put in place after the Bondi attack.

Important first step

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has denied accusations of police violence during the operation, but apologised “for any offence that may have been taken” after Muslim community leaders said the disruption of the men praying represented serious breach of religious sanctity.

Greens justice spokesperson Sue Higginson, who was at the protest and has been campaigning for an investigation throughout the week, said the announcement was an important first step for transparency.

“We are lucky in NSW that we have a strong police oversight body in the LECC, and I am very grateful that they have authority to act on the reports that they have received,” she said.

“This investigation will have the opportunity for hearings, and will result in a public report made to Parliament. This is what the community needs, and it’s what the Police need too. It is in no one’s interest to have police acting with impunity, it leads to violence, and Labor leaders Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley should cooperate fully with this investigation.”

Justice and Equity Centre Principal Solicitor Jonathan Hall Spence has said members of the public with videos or any other evidence of police actions from the night should submit it to the LECC to be considered under the investigation.

“We urge the NSW Government to recognise that peaceful protest is critical to democracy. Statements criticising and seeking to de-legitimise people who protest set a tone of hostility that is at best unhelpful and at worst dangerous.”