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New Zealand |
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In 1988 the office of the Police Complaints Authority was created with the responsibility for overseeing and reviewing all complaints against Police. The Authority is completely independent of the Police and is notified by them of all complaints against Police and also any incident in which a member of Police acting in the execution of their duty causes or appears to have caused the death or serious bodily harm to any person. It should be noted that the Authority was not created in response to any particular shortcomings of the Police or allegations of corruption /biased investigations but rather as part of both the government and the public's desire for transparent governance and administration. Where a complaint is made direct to Police, the Authority is advised and at this stage it is determined what level of involvement by the Authority is appropriate. Unless the matter is of a serious nature the Authority will normally allow Police to conduct their own investigation and make recommendations as to resolution. This will be reviewed by the Authority who will either accept the conclusion arrived at by Police or direct that further investigation or action/s be carried out. In more serious matters the Authority will involve itself to a far greater extent. What constitutes serious is defined in part by legislation and in part by a formal understanding reached between the Authority and Police. While it would be fair to say there is no evidence of widespread or organised corruption in the organisation, NZ Police realises that it cannot afford to be complacent about ethical and integrity issues. With changing value systems and sometimes blurred morality, modern life poses many ethical dilemmas for police members. The threat of corruption is seen as the single most critical risk to policing. Active and practical steps are being taken to ensure the New Zealand Police deserve and maintain a reputation of being free of corruption by the formulation of a Corruption Plan. Working on the premise that the test for any Corruption Plan is its ability to create, support and maintain a positive ethical organisational culture. NZ Police are currently devising a series of strategies that will promote and foster ethical conduct throughout the organisation by identifying potential risk areas, reducing opportunities for corrupt practices and create a climate and culture in which corruption cannot survive.
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Mr
Ross Pinkham