Internal Investigation Branch

Except in special circumstances, complaints are investigated by the Internal Investigation Branch, a team of experienced police officers. The investigator will usually wish to speak to the complainant, the officer(s) involved and anyone else able to help with the inquiry. In certain cases the Authority may, after consultation with the Commissioner of Police, determine that a complaint should be investigated by staff of the Authority [Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 ss.23, 25].

Monitoring of investigations

The Authority monitors the progress of all investigations and may inspect any documents or speak to anybody about a complaint. From time to time, members of the staff of the Authority are present at interviews, and the Authority's facilities and premises may also be made available [Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 s.28].

Confidentiality

Investigations are carried out in strict confidence. However, if a Court, Tribunal or Royal Commission subpoenas a file of the Authority, then confidentiality may be breached [Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 s 48(4)(7)].

Costs

There is no charge for the investigation of complaints [Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 s.48].