Media Releases

Senior Constable charged following Victoria Police investigation overseen by IBAC

Friday 21 Jan 2022

Victoria Police has charged a senior constable with recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and common law assault following an investigation by Victoria Police into an alleged assault on a member of the public. IBAC provided active oversight of Victoria Police's investigation into this matter to ensure that it was conducted thoroughly and impartially.

The incident took place on 22 September 2021 at Flinders Street railway station.

IBAC is Victoria's independent body responsible for preventing and exposing police misconduct.
 

Background

The breadth of 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 (i.e. we don’t have 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; and
  • developing and presenting prevention education and training for Victoria Police officers and employees.