NCJ Number
204423
Date Published
2002
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This is the 2002/03 Annual Report of Queensland's (Australia) Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC), which is charged with combating and preventing major crime and improving public-sector integrity.
Abstract
On January 1, 2003, the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 added another powerful tool for CMC's work. This act provides a civil confiscation scheme, to be administered by the CMC, that forfeits the proceeds of illegal activity to the government, whether or not the owner of the property is convicted of any illegal activity. Another important legislative change occurred in May 2003 when the Criminal Code was expanded to make it an offense to use the Internet with the intent of procuring a child to engage in a sexual act or to expose a child to any indecent material. CMC action under this law led to the detection of an international network of pedophiles and assisted officials in the United States and the United Kingdom in pursuing and arresting suspects. The Crime and Misconduct Act has brought change in the way complaints of misconduct have been addressed in Queensland. This act gives the CMC a part in building the capacity of agencies to deal with and prevent employee misconduct themselves; however, CMC is given greater power to monitor how public-sector agencies do this. In 2002-03 the CMC conducted 155 misconduct investigations, focusing on the more serious and complex misconduct. The CMC continued to provide a witness protection service, protecting 141 people in 68 operations. Other CMC activities for the fiscal year included research and evaluation projects pertinent to its mission, the continued publication of intelligence bulletins and digests, training for staff members of Indigenous Councils, an inquiry into the criminal justice system's handling of sexual offenses, and the planning of an inquiry into the abuse of children in foster care. 22 tables, illustrative photographs, and appended list of CMC functions, a strategic plan for 2002-06, a list of significant presentations, a list of CMC publications, and information on overseas travel by CMC staff