Media Releases
IBAC audit identifies ways to improve Victoria Police’s complaints handling
An audit by the state’s independent anti-corruption commission of Victoria Police’s complaints handling systems has identified room for improvement, as well as some areas of good practice.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) Commissioner, Stephen O’Bryan QC, said today complaints are a key mechanism for ensuring integrity in any organisation, and particularly important for Victoria Police.
“Police officers are entrusted with significant powers to uphold the law, which can be often exercised with discretion over their fellow citizens. For the community to maintain confidence in how their police force exercises these powers, it is vital that any complaints against police are handled fairly and appropriately,” Commissioner O’Bryan said.
As part of its independent police oversight, IBAC conducted an audit of more than 400 files relating to complaints investigated by Victoria Police in two regions during 2014/15. Issues identified included significant delays in complaint investigations, with almost one third of files taking longer to complete than they should, poor record keeping, and a lack of clarity in communicating outcomes to complainants and subject police officers. Although the audit focused on complaints handling in two regions, the issues identified have wider application across Victoria Police.
“IBAC’s audit found that while Victoria Police has well-established complaints handling processes, there are many ways in which timeliness, accountability and accessibility could be improved. Our report makes nine specific recommendations to Victoria Police to help strengthen its complaint handling systems and improve community confidence in police integrity and accountability,” Commissioner O’Bryan said.
IBAC is responsible for preventing and exposing public sector misconduct and corruption. Its independent police oversight role includes undertaking strategic research and other projects to assist Victoria Police to improve its systems and practices, reviewing internal investigations conducted by Victoria Police, and independently investigating cases of serious or systemic police misconduct and corruption.
Media contact: media@ibac.vic.gov.au or 0427 480 840
No media interviews will be granted.
