NSW Police Inquiry Delayed Following Commissioner’s Request for Closed-Door Hearings
A late-stage request by the NSW Police Commissioner to hold inquiry hearings in private has delayed the investigation into police conduct during a February…
Lauren Collins ·
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has delayed its inquiry into the February 2026 Sydney protest following a late-stage request from the New South Wales Police Commissioner to conduct proceedings in private. The Commissioner’s legal representatives sought to restrict public access to opening addresses and witness examinations, citing procedural concerns regarding the commission's authority.
The LECC characterized the timing of this request as detrimental to the investigation's progress and the efficient use of public resources. The watchdog maintained that public scrutiny is necessary given the existing public record of the events and the official narratives previously advanced by senior police leadership.
Under the revised schedule, the inquiry will commence with a public address on October 19, followed by five weeks of private hearings to address factual matters. Subsequent public examinations will focus on systemic issues, including the use of force, arrest powers, and protest policing strategies. This investigation coincides with ongoing civil litigation alleging police misconduct and false imprisonment during the February incident.