Thursday, June 2, 2011

'Rogue' police allowed to stay on force

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June 02, 2011


THE police complaints system is ineffective, the Office of Police Integrity says.

One officer who twice attacked members of the public was allowed to continue serving, only to bash a third person.

The OPI report tabled in Parliament also shows violent or corrupt police have been exploiting loopholes in the system to remain in the force.

More than 200 police officers were disciplined last year compared with 45 in 2005.

But there were only four sackings from 102 formal disciplinary hearings last year.

Forty officers either resigned or retired while being investigated, with 87 placed on good behaviour bonds.

Chief Commissioner Simon Overland's attempts to expand disciplinary powers have been blocked by the Government.

A recent report in the Herald Sun showed rogue police were breaking the law at a rate of one a week. Offences ranged from assaults to burglary, child pornography and drug offences.


The report highlighted the poor processes in the case of a senior constable who kicked a criminal in custody and was given only a "tick in the box" reprimand in 2007. Last year he was given a suspended jail sentence after being charged with a third violent assault.The report shows while there had been some improvements, complainants' satisfaction with the process was still low.

"Further work needs to be done to ensure the reforms are fully implemented and achieve sustained cultural change," OPI director Michael Strong said.

This, the third OPI report in four years, criticises Victoria Police's failure to follow a recommendation in 2007 to begin disciplinary action against staff even if a case is before the courts.

A Herald Sun report found 373 suspended officers were paid more than $15 million in a decade. In one case a police officer the OPI concluded had engaged in corrupt behaviour was merely transferred to another position.

In a letter to the OPI, Mr Overland warned legislative changes were needed if long-term reform was to be achieved.

But the Coalition has consistently said any plans to change the Police Regulations Bill were doomed.

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