NCJ Number
164570
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 45-62
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The Queensland Police Service in Australia changed the way it deals with complaints against police officers in 1993; the new system recognizes that most complaints against police are minor in nature and that complainants generally seek an apology, an explanation, or assurance that a senior police officer will talk to the subject police officer.
Abstract
Complaints against officers of the Queensland Police Service are divided into three categories: breaches of discipline, misconduct, and official misconduct. Responsibility for the satisfactory resolution of complaints against police officers is a shared process. The Criminal Justice Commission is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct and official misconduct against police, while the Queensland Police Service is responsible for investigating and resolving complaints involving breaches of discipline. The Criminal Justice Commission and the Queensland Police Service actively encourage people to complain if they consider a police officer's conduct to be unprofessional and the conduct constitutes a breach of discipline or is criminal in nature. Complaints can be resolved in four ways: (1) no further action if the matter is minor in nature and complainant concerns can be satisfactorily explained at the time; (2) informal resolution; (3) mediation between the subject police officer and the complainant; and (4) full investigation and sanctions when complaints are substantiated. Data on complaint outcomes indicate that complainants dealt with by informal resolution are more satisfied than complainants dealt with by formal investigation. 5 references, 15 endnotes, 10 tables, and 1 figure