Police brutality inquiry to open
February 21, 2005 - 7:57AM

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An inquiry into claims of brutality within the NSW police force begins in the state's south-west today.

The Police Integrity Commission will investigate allegations that officers from the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command severely bashed Wagga man Allan Frederick Hathaway after arresting him on a traffic matter.

The hearings will take place before Commissioner Terry Griffin at Wagga courthouse this week - the first time the commission has sat outside Sydney.

Last year, Magistrate Bill Pearce raised concerns about Mr Hathaway's treatment while hearing charges against him, and referred the matter to the commission.

Mr Pearce found police had lied in court about Mr Hathaway's arrest, and had turned away ambulance officers who arrived to treat his injuries.

He found one officer had bashed Mr Hathaway to within an inch of his life, resulting in severe injuries.

Mr Pearce found a knife was also planted on Mr Hathaway at the scene of his arrest in Wagga.

In throwing out charges against Mr Hathaway of assaulting police, Mr Pearce said the behaviour was the product of too much power for too long.

A week has been set aside for the inquiry, with the possibility of further hearings in Sydney.