About Us
What Does the Police Integrity Commission Do?
The Police Integrity Commission (the Commission) 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 Commission. These functions can be summarised briefly as: preventing, detecting or investigating serious police misconduct; and, managing or overseeing other agencies in the detection and investigation of serious police misconduct and other police misconduct. The Commission is also empowered to manage those matters not completed by the Royal Commission. The Commission is, as far as practicable, required to turn its attention particularly to serious police misconduct.
Other functions of the Commission described in the Act relate to: police activities and education programs (s.14) and the collection of evidence and information (s.15).
The Commission conducts research into serious police misconduct and methods by which it may be reduced. It provides advice and recommendations as to how the capacity of the NSW Police Force to minimise and prevent misconduct might be strengthened.
Who Are the Commission Officers?
The Commission is not part of the NSW Police Force. It is an independent body. The Commission employs experienced staff including lawyers, accountants, current and former police investigators and operational and research analysts. The Commission 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 Commission Report to? How Does the Commission Report?
The Commission reports to Parliament on its activities in its Annual Report. The Commission’s Annual Report is required to be furnished to the Parliament of NSW no later than 31 October in each year.
The Commission may also report on any matter that has been the subject of an investigation. The Commission must report on any matter as to which the Commission 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 Commission in the exercise of its functions. The Commissioner and other senior members of the Commission attend before the Committee to give evidence as and when required.
What Can You Do if You Wish to Provide Information on Serious Police Misconduct?
If you have information about serious police misconduct you should provide it in Commission in writing. You can use the
online facility via this website or write to the Commission at:
GPO Box 3880
Sydney NSW 2001 Australia
What Can You Do If You Have a Complaint About the Commission or Officers of the Commission?
The Inspector of the Police Integrity Commission has the power to investigate and assess complaints about the Commission or officers of the Commission. The Inspector is not an officer of the Commission. 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 Commission, please contact the Commission directly, or, alternatively, see: