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This page provides an overview of Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), including its purpose, functions and powers. Here you can find out how to make a complaint and what happens next.

Video transcripts

  • When corruption occurs in the public sector it hurts all of us. Corruption wastes our taxes and rates that should be used to operate and maintain Victoria's schools, hospitals, roads and other vital public services and projects.

    The Victorian community expects the public sector, state government, local council employees and police officers to behave properly and to use public money and property responsibly for the good of all of us. We expect them to be honest, not influenced by personal interests, greed, or engaging in criminal behaviours. We expect our public sector to be free of corruption.

    IBAC is Victoria's independent anti-corruption agency.

    IBAC deals with serious corruption and misconduct in state government departments and agencies, Victoria Police, council employees and councillors, members of parliament, judges and magistrates. When something is not right in the Victorian public sector, IBAC provides everyone with the ability to do something about it.

    Corruption and misconduct in the Victorian public sector can take many forms, such as taking or offering bribes, using a position of influence dishonestly, committing fraud or theft, misusing information from the workplace, or planning any corrupt activities.

    In relation to Victoria Police, serious misconduct and corruption can also include the abuse of police powers, such as assault and excessive use of force, having inappropriate relationships and disclosing police information to organised crime groups.

    However, IBAC cannot investigate issues from other states or territories, any federal matters or anything in the private sector unless it relates to a Victorian public sector employee; and IBAC does not deal with rudeness or poor customer service.

    Have you seen something? Do you suspect corruption? Then do something about it. Find out how you can report corruption by visiting our website or calling 1300 735 135.

    When you contact IBAC, we will assess the information you provide about corruption to decide whether to refer, dismiss or investigate the matter.

    IBAC is responsible for exposing, preventing and investigating serious corruption and misconduct in the public sector and Victoria Police, but it is up to everyone to speak up when something is not right.

    With your help we can continue to strengthen the integrity and corruption resilience of the public sector and make sure that public money and resources are used to deliver the services and projects the Victorian community expects.

    For more information visit www.ibac.vic.gov.au or call 1300 735 135.

  • IBAC is sharing this video to help the community, and organisations who work with IBAC and the community, to understand how to report police misconduct to IBAC.

    The community expects police to perform their duties lawfully, professionally and ethically.

    If you suspect police misconduct or corruption, you can report it to IBAC, Victoria’s independent police oversight agency. You can also make a report to the Police Conduct Unit at Victoria Police, which will report it to IBAC.

    Police misconduct is unlawful conduct or failure to meet the standards expected of Victoria Police officers.

    Serious police misconduct and corruption can include assault, disclosing sensitive police information, major cover-ups, bribery or fraud or unlawful discrimination.

    Complaints can be made about police officers, protective services officers, police custody officers or public service employees.

    You can make a complaint or information report on the IBAC website.

    Before you do, it helps to be prepared. First, check if IBAC is the right agency to complain or give information to.

    IBAC does not investigate things such as rudeness, slow response times, or inappropriate uniforms. We also do not investigate outcomes of traffic incidents or court decisions. You can raise these issues directly with Victoria Police.

    Next, try to have all the information ready. Details such as what happened, when and where and who was involved really helps, along with video, photos or other documents of the incident. We will acknowledge your complaint with an email, which you can reply to with further information.

    Once you've made a complaint, IBAC will assess it to decide whether to investigate, refer it to Victoria Police to investigate or dismiss it. IBAC dismisses complaints where there is not enough information to begin an investigation or if it is not something IBAC or Victoria Police can investigate. We prioritise cases involving serious or systemic police misconduct or corruption.

    It may take several weeks for your complaint to be assessed. We will communicate with you to notify you of IBAC’s decision.

    Sometimes, people are hesitant to make a complaint because they are afraid of repercussions, such as being bullied or fired. IBAC assesses every complaint to decide if it is a public interest disclosure. If your complaint is a public interest disclosure, your identity will not be revealed and it is unlawful to bully or victimise you, or your friends, family or colleagues.

    If you don’t want to make a complaint, you can also submit an ‘information report’, which means your information is added to our intelligence files and can help our investigations and corruption prevention initiatives.

    Complaints and information reports may be made anonymously, but this means we can’t reach you if we need more information, and we won’t be able to notify you of the outcome. Remember to include all relevant details. IBAC manages your personal information carefully and lawfully.

    Reporting police misconduct and corruption helps ensure concerns are dealt with and police act lawfully, professionally and ethically.

    It's important IBAC hears about these issues, even if we do not investigate them, to inform our intelligence and research. So, if you suspect corruption or misconduct, you can do something. Contact IBAC.

    For more information visit IBAC's website.

  • IBAC is sharing this video to help the community, and organisations who work with IBAC and the community, to understand IBAC's police oversight role.

    Victoria Police exists to serve the people of Victoria.

    IBAC is Victoria's independent anti-corruption and police oversight agency.

    IBAC's independent oversight of Victoria Police helps to ensure police conduct is lawful, professional and ethical.

    We do this by taking and assessing complaints about police, and investigating cases of serious police misconduct or corruption. We also review police investigations of complaints, and work with Victoria Police to strengthen its policies and systems to prevent misconduct.

    Our independent oversight is critical because of the significant powers police officers hold. To keep our community safe, police can detain, search, arrest, use force, enter premises, seize property and access sensitive information.

    IBAC's independent oversight helps the community have confidence that Victoria Police uses these powers lawfully, professionally and ethically.

    Police misconduct is unlawful conduct or failure to meet the standards expected of Victoria Police officers.

    Serious police misconduct and corruption includes police using excessive force, disclosing sensitive police information, or being involves in major cover-ups, bribery or fraud or unlawful discrimination.

    If you experience or are aware of police misconduct or corruption, you can report it to IBAC. You can make a complaint or submit an information report via our website.

    We prioritise investigation of allegations involving serious or systemic corruption or police misconduct.

    IBAC does not investigate things such as rudeness, slow response times, or inappropriate uniforms. We also do not investigate outcomes of traffic incidents or court decisions. You can raise these issues directly with Victoria Police.

    Members of the public can complain to IBAC about the conduct of police officers, protective services officers, police custody officers or public service employees.

    Victoria Police is also required to notify IBAC of all complaints of police misconduct.

    Our oversight goes beyond taking and assessing complaints, and conducting investigations. IBAC does strategic research, audits and reviews, and recommends ways for Victoria Police to improve its systems and practices to prevent police misconduct.

    We also provide information and training to Victoria Police officers to help promote integrity and support ethical decision-making.

    As part of our role, IBAC works to ensure Victoria Police officers understand their obligations under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities when performing their duties.

    When IBAC receives a complaint, we can investigate it, refer it to another agency (including Victoria Police), or dismiss it. To decide what to investigate, we consider how serious the allegations are, what the evidence is, the circumstances, and whether the conduct suggests broader issues for Victoria Police.

    We can also investigate suspected police misconduct or corruption even if we have not received a complaint.

    This is called an 'own motion' investigation.

    We assess all complaints to see if they are public interest disclosures. People who make public interest disclosures, sometimes known as whistleblowers, cannot be bullied or fired for making a complaint.

    When IBAC refers a complaint for Victoria Police to investigate, we may flag that matter for review. Our reviews are based on how serious the allegations are, whether it’s in the public interest, or if it is a particular area of focus for IBAC, such as police use of force.

    IBAC’s reviews allow us to consider Victoria Police's systems for handling complaints. We look at whether investigation outcomes were appropriate and if the process was fair and thorough. We recommend how Victoria Police can improve its policies and processes and support good practice.

    Integrity in policing is about how police make decisions, lawfully use their powers and treat people.

    The community rightly expects police to always act with integrity. That’s why IBAC's independent oversight of Victoria Police is so important.

    For more information about police misconduct or corruption, and how to report it, go to www.ibac.vic.gov.au