NSW police watchdog to investigate alleged police brutality at Sydney protest against Isaac Herzog | Australian police and policing
An independent investigation into alleged police brutality during a protest in Sydney against Isaac Herzog’s visit will examine “incidents of alleged misconduct by officers”.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc) said on Friday it would review the police response after receiving a “significant number of complaints”.
“The Commission has determined that it is in the public interest to investigate the police operation in and around Sydney City Hall on the evening of Monday 9 February 2026, including allegations of misconduct by NSW police officers towards individuals who attended that location to protest,” Lecc said in a statement. he said.
“The commission will obtain and review all available material, including video and telephone footage, documents, records and other information, including that held by the NSW police force.”
The watchdog said it would hold hearings as part of the investigation process and submit a “public report” into the investigation to the NSW parliament.
NSW premier Chris Minns backed police actions despite a growing chorus of criticism. He rejected calls for an independent investigation.
Minns also rejected suggestions Tuesday that his own anti-protest restrictions had created what he viewed as an “impossible situation” for police dealing with thousands of protesters.
Rally organisers, Labor supporters and Green MPs accused the prime minister and police of creating an “unsafe situation” for participants.
Police pepper-sprayed protesters and Guardian Australia saw officers repeatedly trapping protesters in an area using a controversial tactic known as kettlebelling.
Footage taken at the rally shows police officers repeatedly punching some protesters and dragging Muslims praying.
Police commissioner Mal Lanyon apologized only “for any offense that may have been committed” after police dragged away people praying outside city hall.
The sheikh who led the prayers described the police’s behavior as “irrational and aggressive”.
State Greens justice spokeswoman Sue Higginson said it was a “first important step towards transparency” after Monday’s “horrible experience”.
Higginson joined the protest and referred NSW police to the commission earlier this week.
“I am relieved that Lecc has decided to take this course of action, despite the Prime Minister saying in parliament yesterday that he did not support an independent investigation into police actions,” he said.
“We are fortunate in NSW to have a strong police oversight body in Lecc and I am very grateful that they have the power to act on the reports they receive.”
The Palestine Action Group supported the investigation, and spokeswoman Amal Naser said Monday’s police operation “bears all the hallmarks of a police riot targeting peaceful demonstrators who gathered to oppose President Isaac Herzog’s visit.”
“Civil liberties in NSW have been steadily eroded under the Minn Labor government,” Naser said.
“Monday’s events marked a dangerous escalation, with people young and old being subjected to force for exercising their democratic right to protest.
“We have already seen elderly women seriously injured, worshipers attacked after being allowed to pray, and minors arrested during a peaceful demonstration.”
