Police Complaints project

“…[W]e need to seriously look at this issue of police investigating police. Not least from the perception of public confidence…”

- Martin Moyhinan, Chairperson of the QLD Crime & Misconduct Commission (CMC), 15 March 2011.

Mr Moyhinan was speaking about the decision by the QLD Police Service to take no disciplinary action against 6 police officers involved in the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee, and the “botched” investigation, by other police officers, into the death.

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As in Queensland, in NSW most complaints against police and police misconduct matters are investigated by other police officers. Decisions about whether to take any disciplinary action rest with the NSW Police Commissioner.

CLCNSW is concerned about various aspects of the NSW Police Compaints system, and has made recommendations for reform.

In this website you can find information about:

a) The need for change, and our recommendations

• Recommendations for reform
• Why reform is needed
• What's wrong with the current system - brief overview
• Human Rights & Police Accountability
• News & Action

b) Information about making a police complaint under the current system (for community workers)

• Where to get legal advice about police behaviour?
• A guide to making a complaint (coming soon)
• Alternatives to making a formal complaint: Using anti-discrimination law
• Alternatives to making a formal complaint: Civil litigation (coming soon)

For media enquiries, please contact the Advocacy & Human Rights Officer, CLCNSW (phone: (02) 92127333)