Police watchdog to supervise Danny Lim internal arrest investigation

NSW Police are investigating the attempted arrest of well know Sydney activist Danny Lim, who was left bloody after hitting his head on tiles this week — and the police watchdog has stepped in to supervise.

Sydney activist Danny Lim has been released from hospital two days after hitting his head on tiles in the CBD during a police arrest.

In an update shared to Twitter on Thursday morning, Sydney criminal lawyer Chris Murphy revealed the 80-year-old had been released from hospital with a plan for “ongoing monitoring”.

Meanwhile the police watchdog is monitoring the arrest of Lim and the way NSW Police are conducting an internal investigation.

Mr Lim was hospitalised after two NSW Police officers attempted to arrest him for refusing to move on when requested to inside Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building.

The 79-year-old, on a grainy video, appears to call for help before officers grab his arms and he tumbles forward, striking his head on the tiles.

Danny Lim has been released from hospital. Picture: Twitter

Mr Lim, in the video, is restrained and sat upright as blood pours from a wound around his eye and onlookers gasp.

The handling of Mr Lim sparked outrage across Sydney including a protest outside police headquarters in Surry Hills on Wednesday evening.

NSW Police announced they would conduct an internal investigation into the arrest attempt.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, which monitors and investigates allegations of police misconduct, announced on Thursday it was monitoring the investigation.

“The Commission will continue to closely monitor the progress of the police investigation of police contact with Mr Lim,” an LECC spokesman said on Thursday.

“This includes considering the force NSW Police Force officers used as part of Mr Lim’s arrest.”

The LECC’s powers allow it to attend interviews being conducted by the police investigators, direct access to the police misconduct database, footage and discussions with the internal police investigators.

Protesters outside of Surry Hills police station after Danny Lim was hospitalised. Picture: Facebook

“If the Commission has any concerns about the NSW Police Force’s conduct of the investigation, the Commission has the power to step-in and take over that investigation itself,” the LECC spokesperson said.

Mr Lim was released from Saint Vincents Hospital on Thursday morning.

“Thank you staff at St Vincent’s Darlinghurst for the loving care,” he said.

“Thank you to the community for your love & support, hope to get our happy icon back with his smiles and his signs.”

On Wednesday night, a group of around 60 to 70 angry activists stood side-by-side outside the local police office, waving placards and making noise to condemn his arrest.

One sign read “Stop police brutality. Justice for Danny Lim” while others read “Cvn’t hit Danny Lim”, affectionately adopting the language Mr Lim is renowned for on his own signs.

Mr Lim was hospitalised on Tuesday and unable to speak, his lawyers claimed, as he awaited medical news from a neurosurgeon after allegedly hitting his head on tiles while being arrested.

Mr Lim in hospital with injuries to his head. Picture: Chris Murphy

Mr Lim's head allegedly hit the concrete during the arrest. Picture: Chris Murphy

Video appears to show the 80-year-old, wearing his trademark signage, hitting his face on the ground and bleeding after being arrested by two police officers, while shocked onlookers gasp and call for an ambulance.

Mr Murphy, whose team has represented Mr Lim in the past, confirmed Mr Lim was unable to speak properly after the “violent arrest”.

Two officers with Danny Lim.

Police allege he refused to leave the QVB when requested.

Mr Lim was being treated for a brain bleed and black eye.

“Bleeding on the brain has shown up in the first scan and doctors are monitoring to see how that unfolds overnight,” Mr Murphy said about Mr Lim on Twitter on Wednesday, while sharing a photo of the injuries.

“It may get better or get worse. A neurosurgeon will make decisions.”

Mr Lim is known around the city for his colourful and provocative sandwich boards, which he wears over his chest, that poke fun at politicians and encourage Sydneysiders to “smile”.

Sydney activist Danny Lim pictured near Downing Centre Courts in June. Picture: Damian Shaw

The sandwich boards have seen him have run ins with police before. On Tuesday, Chris Murphy, a Sydney criminal lawyer whose team has represented Mr Lim before, posted the grainy video filmed inside the Queen Victoria Building.

The video appears to show Mr Lim calling for help as police restrain his arms.

Mr Lim appears to topple forward as police grapple with him and his head strikes the tiles as the officers handcuff him.

He is sat up with blood streaming from around his eye and on the tiles, the video appears to show.

Danny Lim with his dog Smarty when he was ran for the upper house in the 2019 state election. Picture: John Appleyard

NSW Police, in a statement, said officers were called to the George St shops just after 11am on Tuesday after “a male failed to leave the building when asked”.

“Police will allege the man was subsequently issued with a move on direction by officers and failed to comply,” NSW Police said.

“The man’s arrest was discontinued after he struggled with police and sustained an injury to his cheekbone. Police from Sydney City PAC have reviewed body worn video of the incident.”

Mr Lim was taken to St Vincents Hospital. No charges have been laid. An independent review will examine the actions of police during the incident.

Mr Lim walking with protesters at the Spring Rebellion in Sydney in 2019. Picture: Richard Dobson

A GoFundMe was created on Tuesday evening and has almost doubled its target, raising more than $6600 for the well-known identity.

“Danny is a beloved community member and brings smiles to everyone he meets,” fundraiser organiser Kirsty Mac said.

“Danny is going to need substantial time to recover. Let’s show Danny how much he is loved and help him with his recovery.”

When arrested, Mr Lim was wearing the same sandwich board that previously saw police criticised for another arrest in 2019. 

He was fined at the time but had it overturned with the magistrate describing the police arrest as “unnecessary and very heavy-handed”.