Media Release - Operation Bendoc

Law Enforcement Conduct Commission finds former constable who used repeated excessive force and destroyed body-worn video, and four officers he confessed to, engaged in serious misconduct.

Monday 17 November 2025

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has made findings of serious misconduct against a now former police officer for using excessive force on 6 separate occasions. The officer also destroyed 2 body-worn video (BWV), by throwing the devices into a body of water, in an effort to conceal his conduct. On 6 June 2024, the Commissioner of Police accepted the officer’s resignation from the NSW Police Force.

The Commission’s investigation also found that the officer spoke to 4 other police officers about aspects of his conduct. He told fellow officers that he had used excessive force during the arrest of two young persons and destroyed BWV devices. These 4 officers failed to discharge their statutory duty under s 211F of the Police Act 1990 (Police Act) to report the suspected misconduct. Findings of serious misconduct have been made against these officers.

The Chief Commissioner, the Hon Peter Johnson SC said:

“Operation Bendoc revealed the repeated use of gratuitous force by a police officer for punitive reasons. This is deeply troubling. Punishment of offenders is a matter for the courts. It is no part of the function of police officers.”

“The destruction of BWV devices to conceal an unlawful act is of great concern. The Commission expects that police officers will use BWV and then strictly comply with the requirement to download and retain the footage. Strong action is necessary to deter officers who do not comply with these important requirements.”

“The reluctance of police officers to report knowledge or suspicion of misconduct by other police officers has been widely reported both in Australia and overseas. This approach erodes community confidence in the integrity of a police force. Compliance with the statutory obligation to report the reasonably suspected misconduct of a fellow officer under s 211F Police Act is essential.”

A copy of the Commission’s report and fact sheet about Operation Bendoc is available on our website.

LECC Media

T: 0425 317 535

E: media@lecc.nsw.gov.au