This page explains timelines, submissions and documentation, the parties involved, the review hearing and the outcome.
In March 2023 the Office of Commissioner for Police Service Reviews (OCPSR) and QPS agreed a timeline to guide the finalisation of reviews. This reflects an intention to reduce the time between the lodgement of an application to review and the provision of the Review Commissioner Report to all parties. Where practicable, it is intended this timeline will be followed for all non-commissioned officer promotion reviews. However, the conduct and timing of any particular review, following receipt of an application for review, will be as directed by the Commissioner for Police Service Reviews.
The timeline for reviews not involving the promotion or transfer of Commissioned Officers
The process will generally follow the below steps:
Steps | Timing |
|---|---|
Following decision of delegate, applicants advised of recommendation of panel and decision by relevant delegate. Upon an applicant’s request, they are provided detailed information/feedback about how they have been assessed by a selection panel including a copy of their shortlisting assessments and/or final assessments. Day Zero: Appointment published in Police Gazette (normally a Friday). | |
1.) Application to review received and processed | Week 1Application/s to review to be lodged with OCPSR by the Friday of week 1 following gazettal of the promotion or transfer (excluding lateral transfers). Application to be lodged using the form: Notice of Application to Review – promotion, transfer or non‐appointment (PSR01). NOTE: The application for review is to include all the reasons evident to the applicant at this stage of the process. Applicants are to supply as much detail as possible within the 500-word limit of the template. This should include specific reference to any issues relating to what they see as flawed process and/or incorrect assessment of merit. This information may be gleaned from their knowledge of the situation and/or from feedback they received from the panel chair or other representative of the decision-maker. Once the application is received by OCPSR, all parties to the review will be made aware of the lodgement of the application to review and may may schedule a brief preliminary directions hearing by phone or video as to any documentation to be provided, the timing of submissions and when the hearing is to occur or the hearing may be scheduled (Thursday of week 6). This communication from OCPSR is to be sent on Monday of week 2. |
2.) Report sought from panel chair or authorising officer | Week 2 & 3Panel Chair Report and any required additional information (for example, comparative statement between Nominated Appointee and Review Applicant when Review Applicant not interviewed) provided by the decision-maker (or their nominee) by Friday of week 3. |
3.) Panel chair’s report processed and distributed to all parties | Panel Chair Report provided to parties (Monday of week 4) along with invitation to Review Applicant to provide an additional two-page (maximum) submission outlining specific issues of concern identified following receipt of QPS information. |
4.) Review applicant further submission received (if any) | Additional information/submission response from review Applicant required by Friday of week 4. |
5.) Panel chair/authorising officer’s response sought | Additional information provided to parties to review on Monday of week 5. QPS invited to provide additional information/submission response (two pages maximum) no later than Friday week 5. Week 5 QPS Response to be received no later than Friday week 5. Full information to be provided to presiding Review Commissioner by Monday of week 6. |
6.) Hearing conducted | Hearing held on the Thursday of week 6. |
7.) Review | Week 6 – Week 9Matter with presiding review Commissioner for consideration and preparation of recommendation report to the Commissioner of Police. |
For reviews involving the promotion or transfer of Commissioned Officers, the same steps will occur, however the timeframes involved may be determined by the Review Commissioner at a scheduled brief preliminary directions hearing by phone or video, having considered any submissions by the parties to the Review.
Granting extensions for a submission
Any delay in providing submissions delays the finalisation of the selection which is undesirable. An extension for a submission will not be given unless a request and reason for such request is made to the Secretary, PSR. Generally, work commitments or recreation leave taken after the application to review is submitted are not acceptable reasons for an extension.
A review application may not necessarily lapse if the review applicant fails to provide a submission by the due date. However, it may result in the matter being considered “on the papers” by the Review Commissioner — i.e. using the documentation already available.
Response by a provisional appointee to a review applicant’s submission
Appointees are not required to provide written submissions, but may wish to raise any significant points or concerns at the hearing.
Purpose of the hearing
A review hearing is an administrative proceeding at which the review applicant seeking review is provided with an opportunity to state their case, and to point out why they believe the original decision should be reconsidered.
The focus of the hearing is on the decision that was made, not on the other person involved. At all times officers should treat each other with respect and in an appropriate professional manner.
The hearing is designed to be as informal and relaxed as possible. It will not be an adversarial process or one in which officers argue a case in opposition to each other. It does not involve the concepts of prosecution and defence.
Officers are not permitted to be legally represented at review hearings.
Dress code
There is no formal dress code for a review hearing. Officers may choose to wear their uniform or business attire.
Attendance at the hearing
In the case of a promotion/transfer, the following people will be invited to attend the hearing:
- the review applicant
- the nominated appointee
- a representative of the delegate (generally the chair or member of the selection panel).
The hearing is also attended by
- the Review Commissioner
- the Secretary, Police Service Reviews, and
- the Senior Sergeant, Reviews.
The role of the Senior Sergeant, Reviews, is to provide advice to the Review Commissioner on matters such as police policy or operational requirements. He or she provides advice only on request and does not put forward a case for either officer.
A member of the Queensland Police Union of Employees has a standing invitation to attend a review hearing as an observer.
Documentation required for the hearing
Officers should bring all the documentation that they have received and/or provided during the review process, and a pad and pen for making notes if they so wish.
Location of the hearing
The hearing will take place in the CCC’s premises:
Level 2, North Tower Green Square
515 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley.
If both officers are located within approximately 1½–2 hours’ drive of the Brisbane metropolitan area, they will generally be required to attend the hearing in person.
In situations where the parties to the review are based in regional or remote locations, the hearing would generally be conducted by teleconference or videoconference.
The process followed in hearings conducted with parties in the hearing room and those conducted where parties attend using teleconferencing technology are similar. Officers who are located outside the driving distance from the CBD are welcome to attend in person if they choose to do so.
What happens at the hearing?
Before the hearing the Review Commissioner reads all the material relevant to the review (that is, the written submissions by the parties involved, the panel chair’s documentation and any other written information received by the Secretary CPSR). The purpose of the review hearing is to highlight, clarify or contest matters already before the Review Commissioner.
The Review Commissioner begins with some brief opening comments designed to ensure that the parties understand the nature of the review process. The Review Commissioner will subsequently control and direct the order of speaking at the review hearing. All parties will be invited to speak and make contributions as the hearing progresses.
It is not appropriate for the review applicant or nominated appointee to ask questions of each other directly. All questions should be directed through the Review Commissioner.
At the conclusion of submissions, all parties will be given the opportunity to make brief final comments on the matter.
Can any new information be presented?
The Review Commissioner will consider new information at their discretion and if deemed relevant to the points on which the review applicant has based their application to review.
Once the hearing has been completed, the Review Commissioner will provide a written recommendation to the Commissioner of Police and parties of the review.
The Review Commissioner is only empowered to make recommendations.
If the Review Commissioner believes that the panel’s actions have disadvantaged only the review applicant, the recommendation may only affect the parties to the review.
If, on the other hand, the Review Commissioner considers that all applicants for the position have been disadvantaged by the panel’s actions, they can recommend that a new panel be convened and the selection process be conducted afresh.
The final decision rests with the Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner, in the event of choosing not to accept the Review Commissioner’s recommendation, must provide a statement of reasons for such a decision to the parties to the review as well as the Review Commissioner.
Where a Review Commissioner recommends that a new panel be convened, and the Commissioner of Police accepts that recommendation, QPS will advise the officers of the next steps in the process.
Review applicants can withdraw their application at any stage during the review process, by sending an email to the Secretary, PSR at <[email protected]> with the following details:
- review applicant’s name
- recommended appointee’s name (if reviewing a promotion or transfer)
- CPSR number
- intention to withdraw.
The parties of the review will be advised by the Secretary, PSR that the review application has been withdrawn.
