Hearings NSW Police wanted secret begin today. This is what to expect
The state's police watchdog is set to hold rare public hearings into the actions of law enforcement during a February protest of Israel President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) will today open a series of public and private hearings examining the actions of NSW Police.
The watchdog has previously said the incident received the most public complaints of police misconduct in the commission's history.
What is LECC examining?
The use of pepper spray by police officers at the rally will be examined. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Under the name Operation Makalu, the LECC will examine alleged acts of misconduct by NSW Police officers responding to a protest at Town Hall in February.
The hearings were sparked by more than 800 public complaints, 556 of which were made to the commission and 267 directly to NSW Police.
Eight days after the protest, the LECC first announced it was investigating the police operation, specifically the use of force by responding officers.
In May, the LECC said it had reviewed more than 450 items submitted to it, conducted interviews with witnesses and reviewed more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage from the scene.
The commission is also looking at the police force's planning for the protest, officers' use of pepper spray and how its use was documented on the night.
What happened at Town Hall?
Thousands turned out to the protest in February, which police deemed unlawful. (ABC News)
The protest took place after NSW Police were given additional powers ahead of Mr Herzog's visit to Sydney on February 9.
The rally organised by the Palestine Action Group (PAG) came despite police issuing a restriction on demonstrations in the CBD as part of wide-ranging powers granted in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
The Public Assembly Restriction issued by NSW Police made the planned gathering unlawful.
The location of the protest, Town Hall, was inside the exclusion zone declared by police, who offered to have the rally moved to Hyde Park, an offer the group rejected.
Police estimated 6,000 people gathered at Town Hall for what organisers said would be a peaceful rally.
Palestine Action Group's Josh Lees with police at the demonstration in February. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Tourism Minister Steve Kamper also made a "major event" declaration, allowing police to close off access to a major event area and directing people to leave.
Those powers allowed police to manage crowd safety and maintain separation between groups to avoid confrontation in the CBD.
Around the same time as the protest at Town Hall, a vigil to mark the Bondi Beach terror attacks attended by Mr Herzog was being held at nearby Darling Harbour, a few kilometres away.
Images from the Town Hall rally of the violent clashes between police and protesters were followed the next day by NSW Premier Chris Minns defending officers against accusations of police brutality.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon also said officers "did what they needed to do" after an "angry and aggressive" group of demonstrators twice marched on police.
How will it work?
Police described the crowd as violent, when defending actions of officers. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
Originally set for September 29, the hearings were delayed due to procedural issues between the LECC and NSW Police.
Beginning on Monday, the commission will hold private hearings for five weeks examining whether any NSW Police officers committed misconduct at Town Hall on February 9.
Similar to Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) hearings, the examinations will open with an address from a counsel assisting the LECC inquiry on Monday before shutting its doors to the public.
After the five-week block of private hearings, the commission will then hold open hearings with evidence from "senior commissioned officers".
According to a notice published by the watchdog last week, officers below the rank of inspector will be granted pseudonym orders to protect their identities when giving evidence to the inquiry.
NSW Police submitted to the inquiry that examinations held in public would have a negative impact on officer mental health, community relations and social cohesion.
"The NSW Police Force acknowledges the decision by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to hold private hearings as part of Operation Makalu," a police spokesperson said.
"NSWPF awaits the findings of the operation."
The commission will have to deliver a final report to be tabled in parliament after the hearings, though no date has been confirmed.
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