IBAC Insights (newsletter)

IBAC welcomes Victoria Police’s commitment to improving their handling of complaints by Aboriginal people

IBAC's report, Victoria Police handling of complaints made by Aboriginal people, was released in May 2022 and examined Victoria Police's handling of a sample of complaints made by Aboriginal people and its oversight of a number of serious incidents involving an Aboriginal person. IBAC welcomes Victoria Police’s recent commitment to adopting the report’s recommendations in full.

IBAC's report, Victoria Police handling of complaints made by Aboriginal people, was released in May 2022 and examined Victoria Police's handling of a sample of complaints made by Aboriginal people and its oversight of a number of serious incidents involving an Aboriginal person. The report highlighted concerning patterns and deficiencies in Victoria Police's handling of police complaints by Aboriginal people and identified 10 recommendations for improvement.

IBAC welcomes Victoria Police’s recent commitment to adopting the report’s recommendations in full.

These recommendations include the establishment of a dedicated process for handling complaints by Aboriginal people; addressing concerns regarding how police engage with Aboriginal children and young people in the context of arrests, interviews and management in police custody; and addressing serious and ongoing issues for managing conflicts of interest.

These recommendations are important because ensuring such complaints and serious incidents are investigated thoroughly and fairly is one way to help build Aboriginal people’s confidence and trust in Victoria Police.

To report police misconduct or public sector corruption now or call 1300 735 135.

IBAC is Victoria's independent body responsible for preventing and exposing police misconduct. Beyond individual cases, IBAC continues to expose and seek to prevent excessive use of force by police, and review the effectiveness of police investigations into use of force complaints.