A top cop is facing calls to be stood down after a police officer was charged with assaulting a former federal Greens candidate at a protest.

Hannah Thomas suffered a serious eye injury that required surgery when she was arrested outside a Sydney firm on June 27 during a protest over weapons being supplied to Israel.

The 35-year-old was initially charged with resisting police - a case since dropped by prosecutors - and her lawyers have flagged civil proceedings in the Supreme Court for "malicious prosecution" and assault and battery by police.

Police charged the arresting officer on Tuesday with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

NSW Police's response to the incident is in the spotlight after Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden initially said he did not see misconduct in officer

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