Police Complaints Authority

The Police Complaints Authority (in this part of the chapter called the Authority) is an independent statutory authority entirely separate from the police force, as are the staff of the Authority. The Authority has the power to:

receive complaints about the conduct of police officers or employees of the police department [Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 ss.3,16(1)(5)]
maintain a register of complaints lodged both with the Authority and with the police [s.29]
oversee the investigation of complaints [ ss.25,26]
examine investigation reports [ s.32(1)]
investigate certain complaints independently [s.23]
on his or her own initiative raise a matter for investigation [s22A]
conciliate to resolve complaints where possible [s.22]
determine that a minor complaint should be the subject of an informal inquiry only [s21A; 3(2)]
make an assessment of the matter in the light of the investigation report [s.32(1)(a)]
recommend disciplinary or other action [s.32(1)(b)].

The Authority must report to Parliament on the handling of complaints against police.

Contact points

Police Complaints Authority

GPO Box 464 ADELAIDE 5001

Phone: 8226 8677

Fax: 8226 8674