Crime and Misconduct Commission Chairperson Martin Moynihan AO QC has welcomed moves by the state government to further improve the Queensland Police Service’s complaints and disciplinary system.
‘The CMC remains committed to working with the government and the police service to implement these much needed reforms announced today. The disciplinary system must be fair and robust if community confidence in the QPS is to be maintained,’ Mr Moynihan said.
Late last year the CMC identified a number of failings in the current system and through its report — Setting the standard: A review of current processes for the management of police discipline and misconduct matters — made a series of recommendations designed to strengthen the police disciplinary process.
On the basis of one of the CMC’s recommendations, the state government set up an independent review panel to further examine the system. The government yesterday released its response to the panel’s report.
‘One of the key recommendations will have a significant impact on the CMC. Over the next two years we will be required to progressively remove all seconded serving and former Queensland police officers from our police-related misconduct work,’ Mr Moynihan said.
‘This will have major workforce and resourcing implications for the CMC. However, we will work with the state government and the QPS to ensure this transition is carried out smoothly and with as little impact as possible on our operations.
‘The CMC welcomes the state government’s decision to provide us with two new powers. One of these powers addresses a legislative deficiency identified in the CMC’s Palm Island review.
‘We will in future have a right to apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for an independent review in relation to a QPS decision not to commence a disciplinary proceeding for police misconduct.
‘The other additional new power will streamline the disciplinary process in situations where the CMC does not agree with a QPS disciplinary finding concerning more serious police misconduct matters.
‘Previously, if the CMC was not satisfied with a QPS finding about police misconduct, the only avenue available to us was to apply to the QCAT for a review of the matter. The CMC will now have the power to substitute a different disciplinary decision if it chooses to do so.
‘However, the police officer involved will have the right to apply to the QCAT for an independent review.
‘The CMC will now carefully consider how best to implement the government’s recommendations so as to ensure the police disciplinary system becomes more transparent and effective.’
