Law Enforcement Conduct Commission seeks greater powers to investigate NSW Police

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) is seeking expanded legislative powers to investigate misconduct within the New South Wales Police Force. LECC chief Peter Johnson, SC, has advocated for simpler and stronger authorities to obtain documents, noting that current efforts to access information are often met with an “overly defensive approach” from police.

LECC inspector Bruce McClintock, SC, warned that an adversarial relationship between the watchdog and the police could lead to institutional dysfunction. Despite these calls for reform to ensure timely investigations, the Minns Labor government has not yet acted on requests for clearer and stronger investigative powers.

A parliamentary committee has issued recommendations to amend legislation to consolidate and clarify the commission’s role.