Police
Our role in the police complaints system includes independently reviewing the way the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) handles complaints about serious misconduct and investigating particular areas of police practice, if it is in the public interest to do so. We check how police handle less serious complaints, and regularly audit the way their complaint-handling processes are working to ensure they are effective and comply with legislative requirements.
We work with police to make sure the complaints system appropriately identifies criminal and serious misconduct and is accessible, credible, flexible and responsive.
Moved on by police for being drunk?
One of our roles is to look at new laws that give police new powers. Right now, we are looking at new police powers to require drunk people being disorderly to move on from a public place, and to fine or charge a person who refuses to move away or returns to any public place in the next six hours.
Download a fact sheet summarising what we are doing through this link.
Download our issues paper here. It discusses topics of interest.
Submissions closed on 15 February 2013. We will report our findings to the Attorney General and Minister for Police later in 2013.
Police power to require removal of a face covering for identification
One of our roles is to look at new laws that give police new powers. Right now, we are looking at a new law that gives police the power to require a person to remove a face covering (such as a veil, niqab, helmet or mask) when confirming the person’s identity. One example is when the police ask a car to pull over and ask for the driver’s licence. It is an offence to disobey this requirement.
Download a fact sheet summarising what we are doing in English, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Dinka, Indonesian, Somali or Urdu through this link.
Download our issues paper here. It discusses topics of interest.
Download our issues paper (not including Annexures) in Arabic here.
We refer to a table in footnote 11 of the issues paper. Download the table here.
Submissions closed on 20 February 2013. We will report our findings to the Attorney General and Minister for Police later in 2013.
Investigation into allegations concerning officers of the NSW Police Force, NSW Crime Commission and Police Integrity Commission.
The Ombudsman has received and has been referred a significant number of complaints about the conduct of officers of the NSW Police Force, the NSW Crime Commission and the Police Integrity Commission in relation to a number of investigations, including Operations Mascot, Florida and associated matters. These complaints make allegations about a wide range of serious misconduct that has occurred over a significant period of time.
The Ombudsman has decided that it is in the public interest to directly and independently investigate these allegations. The investigation is to be identified as ‘Operation Prospect’.
Click here to access a fact sheet about Operation Prospect, or contact us at prospect@ombo.nsw.gov.au or by telephone 02 9286 1015.