Police dispersal of a rally will be examined in a public inquiry where top brass will take the stand, despite a last-minute bid to keep the ugly affair private.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission probe comes after confronting scenes of protesters demonstrating against Israeli President Isaac Herzog being pepper-sprayed, beaten and shoved by police in Sydney on February 9.
One video widely shared on social media showed a group of Muslim men and women praying before being ripped from their kneeling position and taken away by police at Town Hall, where thousands attended.
The commission confirmed on Thursday that hearings will start on October 19.
"This is a volatile time in Australian history. The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democratic system," the watchdog said in its decision to use public and private hearings.
"It is clearly 'in the public interest' issues of use of coercive power by police officers are examined independently and with an appropriate level of public scrutiny."
But the watchdog explained the inquiry, known as Operation Makalu, had been delayed because of procedural issues.
They included NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon on September 9 intervening to argue the hearings and examination of witnesses should be private rather than live-streamed.
The commission rejected Mr Lanyon's last-minute pleas and determined a public opening address and examinations of senior police officers would be shown live.
Testimony from operational police officers and civilian witnesses would be heard privately for five weeks after the opening session and addressed in the final public report before moving onto the public hearings.
Greens MP Sue Higginson said the police commissioner's attempt to shield the public from a transparent investigation were disappointing.
“This was an extraordinary attempt by the police to suppress the public examination of allegations of serious misconduct by uniformed police officers," she said on Thursday
“The violence against the community happened in full public view... and the footage was seen across the world."
In September, Ms Higginson referred body-worn video of a police officer appearing to brag about punching a protester to the commission.
In the footage, a male police officer is heard telling his female colleague: “I f***ing pumped that c***” and “then I punched him in the head when he was down”.
His colleague is heard laughing on the footage and replying “so funny” and "I saw that."
NSW Premier Chris Minns said in February he would not "throw police under the bus", arguing more violence could have broken out unless officers stepped in.
