NCJ Number
72900
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1980) Pages: 37-46
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
For Canada, England and Wales, and Australia, this paper examines the new interest in civilian boards to handle complaints against police and discusses recent complaint-processing changes.
Abstract
Changes in complaint processes in these countries have stemmed from a desire by the public to have some control over complaints and their disposition. The 43 police forces in England and Wales are accountable to both a local and a national authority, the Home Secretary. Although the Police Act of 1964 gave chief constables in each police force power to investigate and judge complaints, subsequent citizen unrest led to the enactment of the Police Complaint Board (PCB), with members appointed by the Home Secretary, to receive the complaints, prefer charges, and hold disciplinary hearings in conjunction with the chief constable. Canada's Federal Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) traditionally investigates and tries all complaints against itself. However, Parliament is presently considering an independent authority to receive and review complaints, monitor investigations, appoint tribunals to pass judgment and recommend remedial action. Finally, proposed changes in complaint processes in Australia stem from a recent proposal to create a national police force. As the complaint process is now vague, the government is attempting to introduce new procedures allowing more civilian control. Although the government has not yet passed the new legislation, several State and territorial governments have adopted parts of it. Sixty-seven notes are included.