Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 September 2022

Ms FORREST question to the LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to police investigations into matters related to offences against an individual:

(1) What avenues are available to an individual when they believe the police response to a report of a serious incident has been inadequate, including:

(a) details of a person and/or organisation the individual can approach in the first instance; and

(b) details of any body or organisation that can pursue a matter of this nature on the individual's behalf?

ANSWER

I thank the member for her question.

(1)(a) The management of complaints about the conduct of Tasmania Police is set out in the Police Services Act of 2003. Tasmania Police also addresses complaints in accordance with the Commissioner's Direction of Conduct and Complaints Management and Compliance Review, which is known as Abacus.

Should the member of the community wish to lodge a formal complaint, the complaint can be made directly to Tasmania Police by phone, in writing or in person. Complaints can be made to any police officer. The Tasmania Police Manual section 13(1) includes an order that a member who is advised by any person that they wish to make a complaint against a police officer or Tasmania Police is required to obtain details, person reporting, circumstances, et cetera and must register the matter on Tasmania Police's reporting software.

(1)(b) Tasmania Police recognises that members of the community may wish to seek an alternative complaints avenue or may wish to escalate their concerns. In this situation, complaints can be directed to the Tasmanian Ombudsman, or to the Tasmanian Integrity Commission. Information regarding how to pursue these avenues is provided on the Tasmania Police website at www.police.tas.gov.au/about-us/compliments-and-complaints. Tasmania Police also offers a complaints process experience survey to seek feedback from the community on the complaints process. This survey is also available on the Tasmania Police website.