Media Releases

Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is reminding regional communities to speak out against police misconduct, with its relaunched You have the right to not remain silent campaign.

IBAC's police oversight role is a significant part of its jurisdiction and includes investigations of serious or systemic corruption or misconduct as well as reviews of misconduct investigations undertaken by Victoria Police.

This campaign aims to raise awareness of IBAC's police oversight role and empower members of the community to report suspected police misconduct or provide information anonymously.

IBAC Executive Director of Prevention and Communication Dr Linda Timothy said all Victorians deserved to be treated fairly by police, no matter where they live and regardless of their circumstances.

"In IBAC's Victorian community perceptions of corruption survey, 71 per cent of people felt police misconduct happened, but that percentage rose to 77 per cent for people who identified as being a part of the LGBTIQ+ community," Dr Timothy said.

"The survey results also showed people understood that police taking bribes was considered corruption, but misconduct such as a police officer using racial slurs or repeatedly asking a person on a date was not as easily identified as misconduct.

"In addition to this, IBAC's intelligence suggests there may be incidents of police misconduct that go unreported by the public, particularly in parts of regional Victoria."

IBAC can take complaints about a range of police misconduct from serious or systemic corruption through to less serious instances of police misconduct. Police misconduct includes excessive use of force, breaches of human rights, bribery, disclosing sensitive police information, cover-ups and fraud. Police misconduct also includes discrimination or prejudice based on race, religion, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.

"We recognise how challenging it can be for someone to make a complaint about suspected police misconduct," Dr Timothy said.

"These challenges may arise for social, economic, or cultural reasons or because it can be difficult to speak out. If someone feels more comfortable, they can provide information to IBAC anonymously."

To reach the diverse Victorian community, the campaign has been translated into seven languages. These are Arabic, Cantonese, Dari, Hindi, Karen, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

Reporting police misconduct can assist IBAC to address systemic police misconduct issues and improve the conduct of Victoria Police’s internal investigations.

If you see or experience police misconduct, you should report it to IBAC. You can also safely make a formal complaint or report information on our website.

Visit You have the right to not remain silent to learn more and to access the campaign resources.
 

Background

IBAC's independent oversight of Victoria Police includes:

• receiving complaints/notifications about conduct of police personnel (including complaints received by Victoria Police, which are mandatorily reported to IBAC)
• assessing allegations about police misconduct to determine which are to be investigated by IBAC, referred to Victoria Police for action, and which are to be dismissed
• IBAC also reviews the outcomes of Victoria Police internal investigations to check they have been investigated thoroughly and fairly. Our reviews may result in recommendations for Victoria Police to strengthen its policies and procedures to address systemic police misconduct issues and risks and improve its conduct of internal investigations
• conducting 'own-motion' investigations (ie, we don’t need to have received a complaint) and we have a "standing own motion" in relation to deaths or serious injuries after police contact
• conducting investigations into serious or systemic police misconduct, including holding private or public examinations
• monitoring and ensuring Victoria Police acts in response to IBAC's investigations and reviews
• auditing how Victoria Police handles complaints
• overseeing Victoria Police's compliance with five Acts including the Crimes Act, Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act, Sex Offenders Registration Act, Witness Protection Act, and the Firearms Act and commencing in 2022 IBAC will also assume a compliance and reporting function in relation to Victoria Police's registration and management of human sources
• developing and presenting prevention education and training for Victoria Police officers and employees.