The evolution of police oversight in Australia

This paper reviews developments in police oversight in the last decade in Australia's eight jurisdictions. Significant variation remains in the structure and responsibilities of oversight agencies, but there has been an ongoing trend towards replacing an ombudsman model with a public sector-wid...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Policing & society 2011-09, Vol.21 (3), p.284-303
Main Author: Prenzler, Tim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accountability
Australia
Commissions
complaints against police
Corruption in government
Development Policy
Government agencies
Jurisdiction
Official misconduct
Ombudsman
Police
police corruption
police integrity
police oversight
Policing
Power
Public policy
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Summary:This paper reviews developments in police oversight in the last decade in Australia's eight jurisdictions. Significant variation remains in the structure and responsibilities of oversight agencies, but there has been an ongoing trend towards replacing an ombudsman model with a public sector-wide commission model. There has also been a general convergence in terms of increased powers and an enlarged range of anti-corruption tactics. Change has been driven by ongoing revelations of misconduct or concerns about potential misconduct by police, public servants and politicians. Despite improvements it is argued that there is considerable room for better practice, especially in enlarging the scope of independent investigations and adjudication by integrity commissions.
ISSN:1043-9463
1477-2728
DOI:10.1080/10439463.2011.570866