Greens MP Sue Higginson has referred a new police body-worn video to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission as backlash against the NSW Police grows over the recently surfaced footage.
The footage provides evidence of misconduct by NSW police officers amid a violent police crackdown on protestors during an anti–Israeli President Isaac Herzog protest at Town Hall in Sydney on 9 February.
In the footage, one police officer can be heard saying he “f—king pumped that c—” and “punched him in the head when he was down”.
It also shows a female officer laughing, saying “I saw that”.
This week, Higginson referred the footage to Chief Commissioner of the LECC, Peter Johnson SC. In February, the independent watchdog launched Operation Makalu to investigate allegations of police brutality at the protest.
“While I suspect you may already be aware of this footage, I am writing to ensure this exchange is brought to your attention, in anticipation of Operation Makalu, and to encourage you to exercise any authority you have to ensure these officers are stood down and investigated,” Higginson wrote in her letter.
“I understand the person who the officers were discussing was charged with assaulting a police officer. I also understand those charges have been withdrawn following the revelation of the body-camera footage.”
The video is said to be connected to legal proceedings from a protestor who was charged with assaulting police.
Higginson said she believes the footage illustrated a broader issue of impunity the NSW police used to suppress a lawful public assembly.
“It gives rise to serious concerns about the integrity of all other criminal charges arising as a result of police’s conduct on 9 February,” she said.
“The LECC is already investigating the actions of the Police that night, but this evidence warrants immediate action by the NSW Police. We must ensure the community is not exposed to an officer that has bragged about and laughed about punching a person in head after they had already been restrained and I have no doubt was then charged with an offence.”
Higginson has also condemned NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Minister for Police Yasmin Catley for repeatedly defending the actions of police.
“This is the moment that they should recognise their wilful and unlawful suppression of protest on 9 February was wrong, and that all charges against the community from that night should be withdrawn,” she said.
Backlash against police has also come from human rights groups, with Amnesty International saying the footage demands an independent investigation into state-sanctioned police brutality at the protest.
“Footage appearing to show a police officer boasting about punching a protester who was on the ground raises deeply concerning questions about the treatment of protesters and the use of force by NSW Police,” said Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar.
“The response to this protest is outrageous.
“Any allegations of police brutality must be urgently and independently investigated. There must be accountability where police have acted unlawfully or breached human rights.”
The LECC’s investigation, Operation Makalu, is expected to hold public hearings in the coming months. The watchdog has received more than 800 complaints about police conduct at the rally.
It was reported today by The Guardian that a Palestinian Australian man, Eyad Shadid, who alleges he was punched in the face while trying to stop police harassing Muslim men praying during the protest, is suing New South Wales.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was invited to Australia by the Albanese government in the wake of antisemetic Bondi terror attack that saw two gunmen kill 15 people.