A senior police officer has accused the NSW government of "fluffing around the edges" of reforms that would curb drunken violence.
Kings Cross Inspector Pat Gooley, who is also the NSW Police Association vice-president, has detailed his frustrations in an open letter to the state government.
In the letter, addressed to Tourism and Hospitality Minister George Souris, Insp Gooley reflects on the scene he witnessed on New Year's Eve when Daniel Christie, 18, was allegedly knocked to the ground.
Mr Christie is in a critical condition in hospital.
Insp Gooley wrote that his heart sank as he began to realise "the name of Daniel Christie would soon become known to many, for all the wrong reasons".
Speaking to ABC radio on Tuesday, Insp Gooley said he didn't believe that Premier Barry O'Farrell and Mr Souris were genuinely doing all they could to curb alcohol-fuelled violence in Kings Cross.
If they were, he said, they would implement measures such as those trialled in Newcastle.
"I think what they're doing is really fluffing around the edges," he told ABC Radio.
"We're calling for the introduction of what's referred to as the Newcastle model.
"It's been trialled, and it's been proven and it works."
The Newcastle model involves 1am lockouts and 3am last drinks.
In his letter, Insp Gooley said it seemed as though the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) was running the minister's policies.
Minister Souris's press secretary told AAP that he would not be commenting on Mr Gooley's letter and Premier Barry O'Farrell is on leave.
Comment is being sought from Acting Premier Andrew Stoner.
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