Qld police disciplinary system `deficient`

The system used to discipline Queensland police officers is flawed and must be
overhauled, a review has found.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) says problems with the system must be
addressed to maintain public confidence that officers who do the wrong thing will be
held to account.
The CMC reviewed the Queensland Police Service's disciplinary system at the request
of Attorney-General Cameron Dick in late 2009.
It recommends some major changes, including removing the power of top brass to
suspend sanctions imposed for misconduct.
Under the current system, a disciplinary charge can be proved against an officer and
a penalty of dismissal imposed.
But the dismissal can be immediately suspended, meaning the officer keeps their job
if they stay on the straight and narrow.
"The use of suspended sanctions in the QPS discipline system is problematic as it
removes the deterrent effect of the sanction and undermines public confidence in the
system and the QPS," CMC Assistant Commissioner Warren Strange said on Tuesday.
The CMC made 11 recommendations to address failings it said had led to "perverse
outcomes" in some cases.
It said the police commissioner should be given the power to sack officers in whom
they had lost confidence, without engaging in a protracted disciplinary process.
It also recommended the CMC be given an increased monitoring role in relation to
misconduct issues and a broader range of financial sanctions for misconduct charges.
The QPS should also elevate complaints management to "core business" and ensure its
Ethical Standards Command, which deals with complaints against police, is properly
resourced, the CMC said.
Mr Strange said that in many instances the discipline system worked well but without
efforts to resolve its failings, public confidence in police could take a hit.
But he also said there must be a will within the police service to hold its own
members to account.
"... No discipline system, however outstanding, can be effective without the
organisational will to make it so," Mr Strange said.
"Underpinning the police discipline system is the need for the QPS to demonstrate it
has the will to make it work. The organisation and individual officers must not lose
sight of the purpose of the discipline system."
Premier Anna Bligh said the government would look at the CMC's recommendations.
"... Government asked them to look at this issue," she told reporters in Brisbane.
"We are concerned to make sure that our police are not only treated fairly but
discipline occurs where it is necessary.
"We want to see discipline occurring as quickly as it reasonably can, as fairly to
our police but ensuring there is a tough code of discipline that meets community
standards."
Police Minister Neil Roberts said the state government would ensure any identified
deficiencies are addressed.
"The CMC report into the police discipline system has identified a number of areas
for improvement but also acknowledges that in many instances the current system
works well," he said in a statement.
"The CMC report provides a sound basis for strengthening and streamlining the police
disciplinary process.
"It is critical that the process is fair to both complainants and serving officers.
He said cabinet would consider the recommendations next year.
Police Union president Ian Leavers said he wanted to read the report fully before
making any comment.
"The devil is always in the detail with these types of reports and I will make a
comment when I've considered the report fully," he said.