NCJ Number
49603
Date Published
1976
Length
109 pages
Annotation
THE PROS AND CONS OF USING BOTH POLICE INTERNAL AND CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS TO INVESTIGATE CITIZEN COMPLAINTS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO AUSTRALIAN PRACTICES.
Abstract
THE SEMINAR WAS INITIATED IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN AUSTRALIAN LAW PERMITTING CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS AND OMBUDSMEN TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE. PAPERS WERE PRESENTED BY POLICE ADMINISTRATORS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF A CIVIL LIBERTIES COMMISSION. TOPICS COVERED INCLUDED THE ADMINISTRATION OF A POLICE INTERNAL REVIEW BOARD, EXISTING PROCEDURES IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIAN LAW, THE SHORTCOMINGS OF EXISTING PROCEDURES, AND THE POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS OF A CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD. THE ROLE OF AN OMBUDSMEN IS DISCUSSED. STATISTICS DETAIL COMPLAINTS HANDLED BY THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS BOARD OF THE NEW SOUTH WHALES POLICE FORCE. A COMMENTARY BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES VOICES CITIZEN DISSATISFACTION WITH THE EXISTING PROCEDURES. THE SECRETARY OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES GIVES THE POLICE OFFICERS' VIEW. DISCUSSION FOLLOWS EACH PRESENTATION. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED. SEE ALSO NCJ 49604 AND 49605. (GLR)