The executive escalated the investigation to the professional standards command following the briefing, sources who asked to remain anonymous so they could speak freely have told the Herald.<\/p>\n
\u201cNSW Police has announced the investigation into alleged excessive use of force and assault of Hannah Thomas has been put under the command of NSW Police Professional Standards,\u201d a statement from police reads.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe investigation will be incorporated into the critical incident investigation which is being oversighted by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The revelation comes after Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden initially said there was no suggestion police had acted inappropriately. On June 30, McFadden told the ABC police were not investigating the potential for excessive use of force by officers.<\/p>\n
McFadden said he had conducted a \u201cpreliminary review\u201d of the body-worn video footage along with other senior officers.<\/p>\n
There was \u201cno information at this stage before me that indicates any misconduct on behalf of any of my officers\u201d, he said at the time.<\/p>\n
Thomas and the four other protesters arrested at the demonstration faced court for the first time this week. She has been charged with resisting police and defying a move-on order. Her case, which has been taken over by the Department of Public Prosecutions, was deferred until September.<\/p>\n
Outside court her lawyer, Stewart O\u2019Connell, criticised police for declining \u201can opportunity to show some accountability\u201d and said they should consider charging an officer who allegedly punched Thomas during her arrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe longer these charges persist, or every minute that these charges persist, is another minute of injustice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only should these charges be withdrawn, but serious consideration needs to be given to charging someone for the brutal, cowardly and despicable assault on Hannah Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n