NSW Police chief seeks to keep police misconduct hearings private and off-air

Commissioner Mal Lanyon filed an eleventh-hour submission contesting the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s plan to hold public, livestreamed hearings on police conduct during the protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. The commission had originally set the hearings to begin no earlier than September, but postponed them citing procedural issues before reinstating an October 19 opening address. Lanyon argued that the commission lacked authority for counsel assisting to make an opening statement and that witness examinations should remain private.

Counsel assisting countered that a lack of public scrutiny would leave the community with only the final report for accountability. The investigation, known as Operation Makaru, follows more than 800 complaints and body-worn camera footage suggesting excessive force. Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson decided that senior officers would testify under pseudonyms in private sessions, while some public examinations would still proceed. NSW Police acknowledged the commission’s decision and awaits the findings.