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No notes taken at critical police briefing before Sydney protest, inquiry hears

LECC inquiry examines police use of force, including capsicum spray and 'kettling' of protesters at February rally against Israeli president Isaac Herzog

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Updated19 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources6 outlets

The police watchdog investigating the chaotic February protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Sydney has heard that no notes, slides or recordings were taken at a critical briefing by Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon at the SCG, as the inquiry found there was 'limited evidence' of physical violence by protesters.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) began its inquiry into the February 9 rally on Monday, with counsel assisting Kirsten Edwards SC detailing a series of concerns about police conduct during the dispersal of protesters outside Sydney Town Hall. Edwards said witness recollections of the SCG briefing varied, but officers were consistently told the protest was to remain static and that a march was not permitted.

Edwards told the commission that more than 1,000 video clips were being examined and that the evidence so far showed protesters were "largely peaceful" in the early stages, with later conduct described by police as aggressive being "for the most part verbal". The commission is investigating the use of OC spray, police corralling protesters into areas where they could not leave, and allegations of officers boasting about gratuitous force. One case study examined is an incident where Muslim protesters were dispersed while conducting evening prayers, after a senior officer had reportedly given permission for the prayers to proceed.

Premier Chris Minns said on Monday the state government was also part of the decision-making, noting the government had directed police not to allow protesters and the nearby Jewish community to clash. He defended the informal nature of the SCG briefing, saying police were operating in a fast-moving environment.

David Sulan SC, acting for the police commissioner, told the inquiry there was an "unprecedented level of serious verbal abuse" directed at police. He said there were many positive acts of policing during the protest.

The LECC received more than 800 reports leading to 400 formal complaints about the use of force. After an intervention from Commissioner Lanyon, who raised concerns about the chilling effect on public order policing, the commission agreed to hold hearings for officers up to the rank of inspector in private. The inquiry will now shift to five weeks of private hearings with junior police, with selected case studies expected to be examined in later public hearings.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The inquiry examines whether police used excessive force against largely peaceful protesters, including elderly people and Muslim worshippers praying.
The findings could lead to changes in how NSW Police responds to protest events and affect public trust in policing.
The case has broader implications for the balance between public order and the right to protest, especially after the law restricting the march was later found unconstitutional.

Background

The LECC investigation was launched after widespread allegations of police brutality at the February 9 protest, including viral footage of police punching protesters and dragging Muslim worshippers. The protest was against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. More than 30 people were initially charged, but charges against 11 have since been withdrawn. The Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) that limited protest was later declared unconstitutional by the NSW Supreme Court.

Key Perspectives

NSW Police and Commissioner Lanyon: Argue police faced unprecedented verbal abuse and were operating in a fast-moving, volatile environment. Commissioner Lanyon sought to protect officers' identities from public hearings, citing a chilling effect on public order policing.

Legal Observers and protester advocates: Imogen Yang of Legal Observers said social cohesion is strengthened when grievances are heard and wrongdoing is openly confronted, arguing shielding police from scrutiny risks greater damage.

Critics and the LECC: The commission is examining whether the use of force was gratuitous or sanctioned by senior officers, and has highlighted a series of case studies including the prayer incident and the use of OC spray against vulnerable people.

What to Watch

Further public hearings expected later in the inquiry, where video evidence may be played and senior officers questioned.
The number of remaining criminal charges against protesters, currently down to 17 with a joint hearing set for July 2027.
Any recommendations from the LECC for changes to police procedures for protest events.

Sources

‘Limited evidence’ of protester violence at Sydney demonstration against Israeli president Isaac Herzog visit · World news | The Guardian
Commissioner’s SCG briefing, police miscommunications in spotlight at Town Hall protest inquiry · Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Commissioner’s SCG briefing, police miscommunications in spotlight at Town Hall protest inquiry · Brisbane Times - Latest News
‘Limited evidence’ of protester violence at Sydney demonstration against Israeli president Isaac Herzog visit · Australia news | The Guardian
Commissioner’s SCG briefing, police miscommunications in spotlight at Town Hall protest inquiry · The Age - Latest News
Commissioner’s SCG briefing, police miscommunications in spotlight at Town Hall protest inquiry · WA Today - Latest News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedNo notes, slides or recordings were taken at the critical police briefing led by Commissioner Mal Lanyon at the SCG before the protest.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “No notes were taken, no slides were shown and senior officers spoke off the cuff at a critical briefing Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon led at the SCG”
Partly supportedThe inquiry 'found' there was 'limited evidence' of physical violence by protesters.World news | The Guardian: “Counsel assisting the Lecc, Kirsten Edwards SC, said in her opening address that the evidence is far from concluded.”
SupportedEdwards said there was 'limited evidence' of physical violence on the part of protesters, and that the protest was 'largely peaceful' in its early stages.World news | The Guardian: “there is limited evidence of physical violence on the part of the protesters. The protest appears to have been largely peaceful in its early stages.”
Reports differMore than 1,000 video clips were being examined by the LECC.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “more than 1000 video clips – from protesters, the media and police body-worn cameras – were being examined by the LECC”
SupportedPremier Chris Minns said the state government was part of the decision-making and had directed police not to let protesters and the nearby Jewish community clash.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “which directed police not to let protesters and the nearby Jewish community clash. "I'm not going to be in a situation, now that LECC is looking at police operations, where I try and distance myself from them. We were part of this decision-making too," Minns said.”
SupportedDavid Sulan SC, acting for the police commissioner, told the inquiry there was an 'unprecedented level of serious verbal abuse' directed at police.World news | The Guardian: “He said there was "an unprecedented level of serious verbal abuse that was directed towards police".”
SupportedThe LECC received more than 800 reports, which led to 400 formal complaints about police use of force.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The LECC received more than 800 reports which led to 400 formal complaints about the use of force by police officers during the protest”
Partly supportedAfter an intervention from Lanyon, the commission agreed to hold hearings for officers up to the rank of inspector in private.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The LECC Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson, SC, decided that police witnesses up to the rank of inspector would not be identified during proceedings”
SupportedLanyon's intervention was based on concern about the chilling effect on public order policing.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Lanyon raised concerns about publicising officers' identities , which he argued could have a chilling effect on police being prepared to undertake public order work as a result of providing evidence.”
Partly supportedThe inquiry will move to five weeks of private hearings with junior police, with selected case studies expected to be examined in later public hearings.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the commission turns to five weeks of private hearings with junior police. ... excerpts of which may be played during later public hearings so officers can provide extra context.”
SupportedPolice boasted about gratuitous force, and the inquiry is examining allegations of officers boasting about their use of force.World news | The Guardian: “outlining a number of issues it is examining, including police use of OC spray and "police boasting about gratuitous force"”
SupportedA senior officer had given permission for the Muslim protesters' evening prayers to proceed before they were dispersed.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Herald previously revealed a senior officer had given permission for the prayers to proceed.”