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The Professional Standards Division was established under the Victoria Police Act 2013: to advise the Chief Commissioner about competency standards, practice standards, educational courses and supervised training arrangements for police officers, protective services officers and police reservists. Complete and accurate data is essential to proactive identification of emerging patterns or issues, as highlighted in this case study. PSC has developed an Integrity Management Guide (IMG) to assist police officers who are required to conduct investigations into allegations of criminality, unethical behaviour and misconduct involving members of Victoria Police personnel.10 While not a formal policy under the VPM, the terminology used in the IMG suggests that all complaint investigations should be conducted in a manner consistent with the IMG. Only a small proportion of complaints those involving allegations of serious misconduct or corruption are investigated by PSC. 4 Victoria Police Act 2013, Part 9 addresses complaints and investigations. Auditors considered that a further five complaints involved relatively minor shortcomings in the consideration of evidence. The PSC investigation reviewed the unresolved Traffic Camera Office investigation in which the subject officer claimed a prospective purchaser for his motorbike turned up at his home to test drive the bike without protective riding gear so the subject officer loaned him his jacket and helmet for the test drive. In a matter that involved a total extension period of 534 days: the first extension request was made two months after the initial 152-day time frame expired for a C3-4, the second request was made six months after the first extension expired. It is not part of the statutory discipline regime and is an alternative to the formal discipline process. PSC has also produced a human rights ready reckoner which provides a list and brief explanation of the human rights most likely to be engaged, and outlines the key questions members must ask in relation to human rights. Although the young person did not know the names of the officers involved, he noted that the officer who interviewed him was involved in the assault. Indeed, PSCs strengthened approach to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the wake of the 2015 VEOHRC review and the creation of Taskforce Salus was evident in the sample reviewed. This included 15 files that were never reclassified and therefore never notified to IBAC even though serious allegations were identified by investigators, including allegations of rape, receiving/handing stolen goods, threats to kill and interference in an investigation. Most, if not all, PSC investigators have previously worked elsewhere in Victoria Police and may have come into contact with officers who are the subject of a complaint in other ways. This will ensure that subject officers and complainants can have confidence that similar fact matters will be handled consistently. 24 PSC has advised that following IBACs Operation Ross, Victoria Police is reviewing probity issues including the provision of complaint histories to inform complaint investigations. Complainants and members of the public who are directly involved in an incident must be informed of the progress and key stages in an investigation. Notes on the file and ROCSID indicate the matter was referred to the DAU for review. All complaints are received, processed and classified by the PCU according to the VPM.11 Classification is important because it plays a role in determining what matters are retained by PSC, what matters are notified to IBAC, what allegations are recorded in a subject officers complaint history in ROCSID, and the time frames that apply to the investigation. Trust and confidence can be undermined by a failure to vet and manage misconduct and complaints or investigate counter-corruption activities effectively. information that clearly guided the investigation, such as contact lists, avenues of inquiry and results, but were not characterised or signed off by a manager as a formal investigation plan (two files). History Background. Did the complaint give rise to any risks that warranted immediate action? Of the 23 files where extensions were sought, 14 (61 per cent) did not contain the extension request or approval. In one matter the police officer was served with a discipline charge notice (DCN) that listed one charge for disgraceful conduct in relation to six instances of sexual harassment. If yes: Describe the issues that warranted interim action, Count of identifiable public complainants, Count of identifiable internal police complainants, Comment on identification of complainants, Count of complainants contacted by investigators. The PSC investigator established the following: The investigator applied to conduct a targeted drug and alcohol test (DAT) on the subject officer. Does the audit officer agree with the number of allegations? The IMG states that documents should be attached chronologically from the back of the file, and should include final and interim reports, investigation plans, statements, medical reports and other relevant evidence.74. This audit assessed whether PSC's complaint investigations were thorough and impartial and met the standards required for the handling of such serious allegations. In relation to the main file, the investigator concluded senior management could have done more when they initially became aware of the situation. 68 Victoria Police 2014, Conduct and Professional Standards Division standard operating procedures, p 22. It is not clear why PSC closed the file without investigating the extent of the association. The investigation report contained details of the intercepting sergeants: In a statement, the sergeant stated the rider observed the police vehicle and immediately indicated I then cancelled the [request for assistance] as I identified the rider to be [the subject officer]. fourteen per cent of files contained determinations that were not considered appropriate by auditors, including instances where material on the file appeared to substantiate an allegation, yet a determination of substantiated was not made. Professional Standards Operations Monitoring Centre. Based on the items in those two lists, the audit assessed whether the following types of evidence were relevant to the complaint and if so, whether it had been considered by the investigator, namely: Auditors also noted any other information considered and assessed, and whether all relevant evidence was considered. This is outlined in the case study on the following page. That report made recommendations in relation to Victoria Police complaint handling processes. The guidelines state the request for extension and the approval must be attached to the file.67 PSCs standard operating procedures state that extension requests, approvals and rejections must be recorded in ROCSID.68. The VPM is comprised of policies (VPMP), which set the mandatory minimum standards, and guidelines (VPMG), which support the interpretation and application of the policies. The Victoria Police Manual (VPM) contains policy guidance governing the handling of complaints. As well as being contrary to procedure, this lack of documentation made it difficult for auditors to assess whether extensions were justified, whether they had been approved by the appropriate officer and the length of extension that was granted. resignation or termination of the subject officers employment before the complaint could be investigated (three files). classified and sorted) by the Police Conduct Unit ( PCU ), which is a unit of the PSC. lessening public confidence in Victoria Police, or. 30 Formal interim action totals more than eight because some subject officers had more than one type of interim action applied in relation to the file that was audited. While not formally documented using form 1426, various emails and other notes on the file suggest that the file was allocated to an officer in the PCU who was considered to be sufficiently removed from Investigations Division. These guidelines state that subject officers should generally be advised of the outcome and action taken in relation to an investigation, unless the file is classified as a work file or a corruption complaint (C1-0 or C3-4) or where the provision of that advice could jeopardise the investigation or future investigations.35. VIC POL STATEMENT 270422. . 7 Victoria Police Act 2013, s 170(1) and (3). Were all relevant police witnesses contacted? In those letters the subject officer was: Of the 24 files that did not contain evidence to indicate that a final outcome letter was sent to the subject officer: Timely complaint investigation and resolution is a key element of a fair and responsive complaint handling system. advised of the outcome in relation to one allegation of assault, but was not advised of another allegation of theft which is recorded in ROCSID against the subject officer as a determination of withdrawn, advised that two allegations of assault and behaviour under the influence of alcohol were not proceeded with and not substantiated respectively, however ROCSID records that the allegation of behaviour under the influence of alcohol was substantiated and resulted in workplace guidance. The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. The audit identified that human rights were not adequately dealt with in 20 files (34 per cent). Police have referred the arrest to Professional Standards Command after confronting footage emerged on Monday of the incident, which took place on Cooper Street in Epping about 4.10pm on Sunday. In three of those matters, criminal proceedings were not authorised (due to lack of evidence, or unwillingness of victims to pursue the matter); however, disciplinary action was later considered. This represents five per cent of all files in the audit and 25 per cent of the 12 files that resulted in at least one substantiated determination. Small aircraft crash reported on Salt River Pima. In doing so, these audits help build public confidence in the integrity of Victoria Polices processes and in IBACs independent police oversight role. On the two days of the party, the subject officer was on rest days. one work file that was reclassified as a corruption complaint (C3-4) on closure, but warranted classification as a complaint of criminality not connected to duty (C3-3), for allegations of drug possession and misuse of ammunition, two corruption complaints (C3-4) and one minor misconduct complaint (C2-1) that were reclassified as work files on closure on the basis they contained intel only. However, the man's family are disgusted with the way that he was taken into custody. 36 Victoria Police 2015, Integrity Management Guide, paragraph 49. If yes: Did the supervisor identify the need for further work? All complaints involving Victoria Police officers are assessed by PSC and classified according to the type and seriousness of allegations made. As part of the audit, IBAC examined relevant Victoria Police policies and conducted data analysis case studies. The 59 files in the audit involved 118 allegations in ROCSID, the majority of which were characterised as malfeasance, assault or duty failure.12. The draft key findings were provided to Victoria Police, with a full draft of the report provided to the Deputy Commissioner Capability to confirm factual accuracy. The 26 complaints in which identified subject officers were contacted involved: Additional notes in terms of contact with subject officers indicate that other types of contact with subject officers included: Both criminal and disciplinary interviews were conducted in relation to four complaints. The Personnel Services Bureau provides initial, ongoing and advanced training while recruiting and hiring the finest citizens in our community to serve as police officers. While the investigation failed to discuss a prior assault in the subject officers complaint history, the investigator ultimately recommended disciplinary action. It notes that compliance by investigators is three-fold: As a result of recommendations IBAC made in its 2016 audit of Victoria Polices complaint handling at the regional level, PSC advised a new program is being developed to replace the Integrity Management Program and that associated resources would include a more detailed component on human rights in the context of complaint investigations. maintain the ethical health of the workforce and reduce ethical risks and workplace harm. He indicated that an acquaintance who attended the party as a guest (a senior constable) advised him to call 000 about the burglary. IBACs auditors disagreed with the reclassification of five complaints. two complaints were investigated by an officer of a lower rank than some of the subject officers they were investigating. While not relevant to any particular file investigated, auditors identified three PSC investigators with complaint histories that raised general probity issues, including: Given PSCs role investigating the conduct of Victoria Police officers, its investigators should be of excellent character to ensure that complainants, subject officers and others have confidence in the process. given clear, timely and consistent information about their rights and entitlements, referred to victim or legal support services, treated with courtesy, respect and dignity, informed of the progress of the investigation, unless the disclosure may jeopardise the investigation or the person requests not to be informed, informed of any key stages in the investigation such as the charging of an offender, bail proceedings, outcomes of any court proceedings, appeals or discipline proceedings. An anonymous Facebook post, which alleged drug use by a named officer, took more than four months to be notified to PSC. detailed plans that identified possible lines of inquiry, investigation strategies, resource requirements, persons of interest and risks (five files), very basic information entered into the Interpose planning tab for instance, one file did not identify any strategies or lines of inquiry beyond stating that it was an intelligence probe; another only identified one objective and one strategy (five files). While the matter may have required preliminary enquiries to clarify the allegations, the complaint ultimately warranted reclassification. requiring investigation plans to be completed and attached to complaint files, noting that this is particularly relevant for the serious and complex matters that PSC primarily handles, requiring that the official conflict of interest form is completed for all investigation files, noting that PSCs independence from other Victoria Police work areas does not negate the need to identify and manage an investigators actual, potential and/or perceived conflict of interest in relation to a specific matter, reviewing the system of determinations to reduce and simplify determination categories, to help ensure clarity for investigators, complainants and subject officers. Victoria Police reasonably believes that the officer has committed a breach of discipline, or an offence punishable by imprisonment. No further explanation could be identified on the file. IBACs audit found that the five determinations reached most often were: Taken together, these five determinations accounted for 74 per cent of all determinations. IBAC also undertakes a range of other independent oversight activities. This ensures that complaints which can provide an organisation with feedback about the effectiveness of its practices and procedures are not overlooked when a complainant no longer wishes to be involved. As part of Victoria Polices roll out of Interpose more broadly to manage complaint investigation files, it would be prudent to provide all investigators with clear guidance on record keeping requirements to ensure consistency in how Interpose is used. Despite confirming that the sergeant did not lose sight of the vehicle as recorded in his running sheet, but stopped and spoke to the rider, only the officer riding the motorbike was recorded as a subject officer. While PSC may be physically removed from other areas of Victoria Police, its officers are not immune from potential conflicts of interest. observed that the actual purchaser had already paid a deposit, denied sending someone to test drive the motorbike the day before he picked it up, adding that he would be upset if the subject officer let someone else test drive the motorbike after taking his deposit. 17 Originally classified as work files, correspondence or management intervention files. This is illustrated in case studies 27 and 28. Run reports and prepare briefings. In addition, 21 of the remaining 24 files did not require advice because the subject officer was identified in relation to a work file or corruption complaint (C1-0 or C3-4). Ethical conduct standards which comprise shared values and expectations of the profession. That complaint (discussed in case study 5) was one of the four work files reclassified by PSC all of which were reclassified as complaints of corruption (C3-4) or criminaltiy not connected to duty (C3-3) involving allegations of a serious nature. The review aligns with broader Victoria Police priorities of victim safety, offence and offender management, child safety and ensuring a safe, capable workforce. This was also noted in IBACs 2016 audit of how Victoria Police handles complaints at the regional level. 60 IBAC, Special report concerning illicit drug use by Victoria Police officers: Operations Apsley, Hotham and Yarrowitch, December 2016, Recommendation 1, and 30 June 2017 progress report from Victoria Police. As the dedicated Victoria Police complaint investigation unit with specialist expertise, PSCs Investigations Division should exemplify best practice in complaint handling. The following discussion provides an example of an area in which Victoria Police has made progress, as well as an area for further improvement. complainants in 22 of the 26 files (85 per cent) that identified a contactable complainant, civilian witnesses in 18 of the 34 files (53 per cent) that identified a contactable civilian witness. The Division is involved in a range of programs and projects under the heading "Harmful Workplace Behaviours". A total of 43 police staff in the Australian state of Victoria have been stood down from duty and could face being fired after they failed to comply with a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, Victoria . The governance will impact the Professional Standards Command which will have force wide impact. The file is then assigned to the relevant investigation unit manager for allocation to an investigator. In March 2018 IBAC published an Audit of Victoria Polices oversight of serious incidents. Of the 59 files audited by IBAC, 16 (27 per cent) identified areas for possible improvement to Victoria Police policy and procedures. The types of evidence most frequently overlooked by investigators were: Auditors identified nine files in which a targeted drug and alcohol test (DAT) was considered. After 16 fantastic years as a frontline operational police member, I am fortunate to move into my new role, at a new rank, as Inspector at Professional Standards Command in Victoria Police. Are extension requests and approvals attached to the file? the obligation to address human rights issues stated in a complaint, or as discovered in the course of an investigation, the obligation to the complainant and the subject member. The file was treated as a protected disclosure to protect and manage the complainants and witnesses. Were interviews with subject officers conducted at the end of the investigation? Our focus is on preventing corrupt behaviours involving police employees. The IMG states that PSC investigators must maintain an Interpose log detailing the status and progress of a criminal investigation and use ROCSID for monthly reporting purposes.27 The IMG notes that time spent on planning is never wasted and every aspect of the investigation must be carefully considered in the first instance and states that a detailed investigation plan should be prepared and submitted to the relevant manager for approval of all investigations.28. Find 46 listings related to Salt River Police Dept in Ahwatukee on YP. three hundred and thirty-five days after receipt, and, 124 days after the investigators report was marked as completed in ROCSID, seven hundred and thirty days after receipt, at which point the investigators report was marked as completed in ROCSID. A complaint alleged that an officer was detected riding his motorbike recklessly, noting that senior management were aware of the incident but did not take any action because they do not want the intercepting sergeant to be charged for failing to charge [the rider] and giving false information to communications. This included a number of administrative issues involving matters that: In a further three matters, it was apparent that the difference in the recommended action recorded in ROCSID and on the file was due to the recommendation being changed upon review. Figure 7 summarises the recommended action in the 59 audited files. However, most if not all PSC investigators have worked in other areas of Victoria Police. Comment on action taken in relation to identified policy or procedural issues. In 32 files (54 per cent), the primary complainant was external to Victoria Police. The Commissioner said the investigation also identified poor complaints management by Victoria Police Professional Standards Command. Auditors also took the view that all but one of the 15 files that reasonably involved preliminary enquiries ultimately warranted reclassification and notification as complaints involving misconduct connected to duty, criminality not connected to duty or corruption (C3-2, C3-3 or C3-4 matters), an example of which is discussed in case study 6. Sixteen files (27 per cent) were identified as involving risks that required interim action. In terms of quality review, all files contain a quality control checklist which contains a list of tick boxes in relation to the allegations, persons involved, determinations, actions and record keeping requirements. Investigators are required to complete a conflict of interest form (form 1426) before commencing an investigation. It is understood that this review should address some of the issues identified in this audit. Contact was made with all relevant police witnesses in 24 of the 28 complaints (86 per cent) in which a police witness was identified. On this basis, 12 files were considered to contain a formal investigation plan. listed a determination (such as unable to determine) or other comments (such as no file) as the recommended action in ROCSID (six files). However, targeted drug and alcohol tests could not be conducted because the employees worked in Record Services Division (RSD). This included eight files which were never reclassified and therefore never notified to IBAC even though serious allegations were identified by investigators, including allegations characterised as drug use, assault and criminal association. The Division employs 54 investigators (FTE). It goes on to note that recommended action might include management intervention, no action, admonishments, discipline charges, criminal charges, action in accordance with the VPMG, managing underperformance, and/or action on any identified deficiencies in Victoria Police premises, equipment, policies, practices or procedures.48, If a complaint raises allegations involving a criminal offence, criminal proceedings must be pursued before starting disciplinary proceedings. dbd iridescent shards code,
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