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Media Release - Operation Mantus Notice of Public Hearing
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s Operation Mantus public hearings concerning the conduct of police officers during the apprehension of a young person in northern New South Wales in September last year will recommence tomorrow Thursday, 25 May 2023 at 10:00am and continue until Friday, 26 May 2023 (if necessary).
During the hearings it is likely there will be further evidence and discussion on the issues of:
- police interviewing young people even after those young people have indicated that they do not wish to participate in a record of interview,
- general training and procedural matters,
- police procedures with respect to arrest,
- discontinuation of arrest, and
- use of force.
The public hearing will not be live streamed. The Commission will provide a recording and transcript of the hearing via its website www.lecc.nsw.gov.au (provided they are not subject to non-publication orders) following the hearings.
Chief Commissioner the Hon. Peter Johnson SC will preside at the hearings. Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Lester Fernandez of Counsel.
Members of the public and the media may attend the hearings in-person.
Mobile phones will be allowed in the hearing room.
Filming and recording will not be allowed in the hearing room or in Commission premises.
For further information, please contact the Commission’s media liaison below.
Due to limited space, interested media are invited to register their attendance via email: media@lecc.nsw.gov.au.
A witness list is attached. Please note that witness lists are subject to change.
Time: 10:00 am
Date: Thursday, 25 May 2023 & Friday 26 May 2023
Location: Commission’s hearing room, level 3, 111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Access: www.lecc.nsw.gov.au (recording will be available following the hearing generally within 24 hours)
Non-publication orders: NPOs in respect of Operation Mantus have been made. Please note that non-publication orders will be provided to members of the media who register to attend.
Witness List
Thursday 25 May 2023
NSW Police Force Senior Sergeant Leanne Weston, Coordinator, Education and Operational Skills
NSW Police Force Senior Sergeant Andrew Pocock, Coordinator of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice
NSW Police Force Senior Sergeant Phillip Clarke, Coordinator, Learning Development and Delivery
Friday 26 May 2023
Spillover
More Information about Operation Mantus
More information about the Commission’s Operation Mantus investigation can be found here .
Video recordings as well as transcripts relating to previous witnesses appearing in the Commission’s Operation Mantus public hearings can be found at the following links:
Monday 3 April 2023 AM Video and PM Video
Legal Aid NSW Manager of Children’s Legal Service, Mr Ronald Frankham
Tuesday 4 April 2023 AM Video and PM Video
NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Mr Anthony Crandell
NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Mr Peter Cotter
Wednesday 5 April 2023 Video
Aboriginal Legal Service Acting Principal Legal Officer Ms Keisha Hopgood
Thursday 6 April 2023 Video
NSW Police Force Sergeant Stuart Edgell
Background
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission is an independent statutory body. The principal functions of the Commission are to detect, investigate and expose serious misconduct and serious maladministration within the NSW Police Force.
The Commission is separate from and completely independent of the NSW Police Force. The Commission will treat all information confidentially and has powers to protect people who provide information to it.
LECC Media Contact: Rob Schell
Mobile: 0425 317 535
Email: media@lecc.nsw.gov.au