Arabic version: هيئة رقابية في كوينزلاند تعترض على تفسير بشأن تأديب الشرطة

According to ABC News, Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission has raised concerns that police officers found guilty of crimes but not formally convicted may be beyond disciplinary action under the Queensland Police Service’s interpretation of a recent court decision.

CCC chair Bruce Barbour told a parliamentary committee the watchdog was “in disagreement with the interpretation”. He said conduct serious enough to result in a criminal conviction should be available for review in any later disciplinary process. Without considering it, he said, authorities have “an incomplete history”, creating an “enormous risk” for both the QPS and the community.

CCC senior executive officer Craig Capper said the position also applied to domestic and family violence information. He told the committee the police commissioner could access such material for a domestic violence purpose, but could not use it in disciplinary decisions involving an officer where no conviction was recorded. The CCC is challenging 19 matters in which it says police officers escaped punishment, arguing their conduct remains subject to review and discipline.

Police Minister Dan Purdie said potential legislative changes would be inappropriate to consider while the matters remain before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The QPS declined to respond to ABC questions. The CCC has previously criticised a three-year delay in establishing a police integrity unit recommended by an inquiry into the QPS response to domestic and family violence.