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NSW Police Commissioner Lanyon sought to block public watchdog hearings into Herzog protest violence

LECC reveals commissioner argued for private hearings as probe into officer conduct over Sydney clashes resumes

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources5 outlets
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon made a last-ditch attempt to prevent the state's police watchdog from holding public hearings into allegations of officer misconduct during protests against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, documents released on Thursday reveal. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) announced the Operation Makalu hearings will proceed with an opening address on October 19, after initially postponing them last month.

The LECC's public examinations were due to start no earlier than September, but on September 15 the commission cited a "range of procedural issues" for delaying the Operation Makalu hearings. On Thursday, the commission announced the hearings would begin after all, with an October 19 opening address. Private examinations will run for five weeks before public hearings of senior commissioned officers begin.

In a 63-page document released Thursday detailing the rationale for using public and private hearings, the LECC revealed that Commissioner Lanyon made submissions arguing witness examinations should be heard in private and not livestreamed. His submission questioned "whether any examination is to take place in whole or in part in public".

The probe will examine police behaviour after a series of violent clashes outside Sydney Town Hall in early February, including allegations of officer misconduct. Police face allegations they engaged in unnecessary brutality in dealing with protesters, with body-worn camera footage showing an officer revelling after a violent altercation. More than 800 complaints were lodged over the way NSW Police handled Sydney's anti-Herzog protests.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The outcome of the hearings could set a precedent for how police misconduct allegations during protests are investigated and made public in NSW.
  • More than 800 complaints highlight significant public concern about police conduct during a high-profile protest, and the commissioner's attempt to keep hearings private raises questions about accountability.
  • The hearings' resumption after a delay suggests internal tensions within the LECC over procedural and transparency issues.

Background

The LECC is the independent body responsible for investigating serious police misconduct in NSW. The Operation Makalu inquiry stems from protests in early February 2026 against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, during which violent clashes occurred outside Sydney Town Hall. Body-worn camera footage that emerged in September showed an officer appearing to revel after an altercation with a protester, fuelling public outrage. Commissioner Mal Lanyon has faced calls for his resignation over the police response.

Key Perspectives

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon: Argued that witness examinations should be conducted in private and not livestreamed, suggesting concerns about the fairness or operational impact of public proceedings. Law Enforcement Conduct Commission: Proceeded with a mixed approach of private examinations followed by public hearings for senior officers, indicating a balancing act between transparency and procedural integrity. Protesters and civil liberties advocates: Likely to welcome public hearings as necessary for accountability, given the volume of complaints and the footage of alleged misconduct.

What to Watch

  • The content of the 63-page LECC document, which may reveal further details about Lanyon's arguments and the commission's reasoning.
  • Whether public hearings lead to disciplinary action or recommendations for policy changes in NSW Police protest protocols.
  • Any political fallout for the NSW government, which oversees the police force and the LECC.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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