About Us
What Does the Police Integrity Commission Do?
The Police Integrity Commission (PIC) was established in 1996 upon the recommendation of the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service (the Royal Commission). The Police Integrity Commission Act 1996 (the Act) sets out the principal functions of the PIC. These functions can be summarised briefly as: preventing, detecting, and investigating serious police misconduct. The PIC is also responsible for detecting, investigating, and preventing misconduct by administrative officers of the NSW Police Force and officers of the NSW Crime Commission. Whether it be in relation to police officers, administrative employees of the NSWPF, or officers of the NSW Crime Commission, the PIC is required to turn its attention, as far as practicable to the most serious forms of misconduct.
Other functions of the PIC described in the Act relate to: police activities and education programs (s.14) and the collection of evidence and information (s.15).
The PIC conducts research into serious misconduct and methods by which it may be reduced. It provides advice and recommendations to the NSW Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission as to how their capacities to minimise and prevent misconduct might be strengthened.
Who Are the PIC's Officers?
The PIC is not part of the NSW Police Force. It is an independent body. The PIC employs experienced staff including lawyers, accountants, current and former police investigators and operational and research analysts. The PIC is prevented from having serving or former members of the NSW Police Force on its staff and its police investigators are all drawn from other Australian and overseas police services.
Who Does the PIC Report to? How Does the PIC Report?
The PIC reports to Parliament on its activities in its Annual Report. The PIC’s Annual Report is required to be furnished to the Parliament of NSW no later than 31 October in each year.
The PIC may also report on any matter that has been the subject of an investigation. The PIC must report on any matter as to which the PIC has conducted a public hearing. These reports are furnished to the Parliament of NSW as they are completed.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman and the Police Integrity Commission monitors and reviews the PICin the exercise of its functions. The Commissioner and other senior members of the PIC attend before the Committee to give evidence as and when required.
What Can You Do if You Wish to Report Misconduct?
If you want to report about serious misconduct, you should find all the help you need on our Reporting Misconduct page at this website.
What Can You Do if You Have a Complaint About the PIC or Officers of the PIC?
The Inspector of the Police Integrity Commission has the power to investigate and assess complaints about the PIC or officers of the PIC. The Inspector is not an officer of the PIC. He is independent and reports to Parliament. The Inspector's address and telephone number is:
GPO Box 5215
Sydney NSW 2001 Australia
Telephone: (02) 9232 3350
Facsimile: (02) 9232 3983
Website:www.inspectorpic.nsw.gov.au
Do You Need Further Information?
For further information on the PIC, please contact the PIC directly, or, alternatively, see: