| Recommendations | Status | Progress | Estimated time to completion | |
|
R21 |
The Police Complaints Authority should improve its accessibility to people who may wish to make a complaint, for instance, by publicising its newly established website and by wider distribution of its information pamphlet. |
Underway |
The PCA’s website was established in 2006. Amendments to the website will be made once the Independent Police Conduct Amendment Act 2007 (the Act) comes into force later this year. The PCA will take advice on the design and distribution of a new pamphlet once the Act comes into force. She is also actively considering whether the PCA should have permanent media liaison assistance. She has also undertaken enquiries about the possibility of establishing a call centre to improve accessibility and facilitate receipt of oral complaints. |
An update of the website and the printing and distribution of new pamphlets will be completed as soon as practicable after the Act comes into force. The PCA will consider the financial and operational implications arising from establishing call centre and media liaison capability, with a view to implementing these initiatives as soon as practicable. |
|
R22 |
The Police Complaints Authority should, in conjunction with the police, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant agencies, develop a communications strategy to increase awareness of the Police Complaints Authority and its work. |
Underway |
The PCA is actively considering the process for implementing this recommendation, including the possibility of recruiting permanent media liaison assistance. The PCA continues to meet regularly with the Commissioner of Police and key members of other relevant agencies to discuss communication strategies, including the Ministry of Justice. |
The PCA will assess the estimated costs of developing and implementing a communications strategy. The PCA will be presenting a budget bid initiative in support of this activity if required. Depending on the availability of resources, an initial strategy could be developed by December 2007 for implementation in the 2008/09 year. |
|
R23 |
The Police Complaints Authority should actively facilitate the reception of complaints by accepting oral statements on the basis that the complainant will confirm the Police Complaints Authority’s written record of the complaint. |
Underway |
The current legislation provides for complaints to the PCA to be made either orally or in writing. The PCA is actively exploring the establishment of a call centre facility to assist the receipt of oral complaints. |
The PCA will consider the financial and operational implications arising from the establishment of a call centre to facilitate the receipt of oral complaints. Depending on the availability of resources, call centre capability could be established during 2008. |
|
R24 |
The Police Complaints Authority should ensure it has more regular communication with those people whose complaints are under consideration. |
Underway |
The design of a new case management database for the PCA with a bring-up system has been completed and is operational. In addition the PCA is in the process of implementing performance measurements as part of the PCA’s procedures. Both the electronic bring-up system and the implementation of performance measures will ensure that communication with complainants is regularly actioned. The recent appointment of a Deputy Authority, and expansion of the PCA’s membership under the amending legislation, will enhance the ability of the Authority to communicate more regularly with complainants. |
New performance measures and the installation of a new database are expected to result in improvements to communication with complainants during 2007. New appointments will be possible following the Act coming into force, depending on the availability of resources. |
|
R25 |
The Police Complaints Authority should seek feedback from complainants by way of random sampling on their experience of the complaints process. |
Underway |
The PCA is actively considering how best to implement this recommendation and will research the experience of organisations such as the Ombudsmen, Privacy Commissioner and other similar jurisdictions. |
The completion of this activity will necessarily follow implementation of the performance measurements referred to under recommendation 24. The PCA will consider the financial and operational implications arising from surveying complainants with a view to implementation in 2008. |
|
R26 |
The Police Complaints Authority should develop strategies for addressing its current backlog of complaints, including seeking additional resources as appropriate. |
Underway |
The PCA’s baseline funding was increased by $0.599 million in Budget 2007 to ensure sufficient resources are available to process the expected number of complaints and investigations the Authority is required to carry out. The PCA also received additional one-off funding in 2006/07 to reduce the backlog of complaints. Significant gains are now being achieved. Temporary assistance has been obtained to speed the process of clearing the backlog and the recent appointment of a Deputy Authority will further enhance the Authority’s capacity to deal with complaints in a timely manner. |
The backlog of older complaints is expected to be significantly reduced by December 2007. New performance measures and additional resources are expected to ensure that such a backlog does not arise again. |
|
R27 |
The Police Complaints Authority should be encouraged to exercise its discretion in favour of accepting historic sexual assault complaints. If there is any doubt about this matter, a further legislative amendment should be included in the Independent Police Complaints Authority Amendment Bill. |
Underway |
An amendment was included in Act. The Authority will consider how to implement this recommendation. |
Commence December 2007 |
|
R28 |
The requirement for the police to notify the Police Complaints Authority of any complaints received by them "as soon as practicable" (section 15 of the Police Complaints Authority Act 1988) should be amended by adding the words "and in any case no later than 5 working days after receipt of he complaint", and compliance with this requirement should be monitored by the Professional Standards section of the Office of the Commissioner. |
Underway |
An amendment has been included in the Act |
The Act will be in force by December 2007 |
|
R29 |
The discretion in section 29(2)(a) of the Police Complaints Authority Act should be removed so that the Police Complaints Authority is required to notify the Attorney-General and Minister of Police if, within a reasonable time the Authority makes a recommendation to the police under section 27(2) or 28(2), the police fail to take action that seems to the Police Complaints Authority to be adequate and appropriate. |
Underway |
An amendment has been included in the Act |
The Act will be in force by December 2007 |
|
R30 |
The Ministry of Justice should review the secrecy provisions in the Police Complaints Authority Act, and make such recommendation as may be appropriate for those provision to be repealed or amended (through the Independent Police Complaints Authority Amendment Bill) to ensure that the Act
|
Underway |
The Ministry of Justice and Police, in consultation with the PCA and the State Services Commission, are developing advice for Ministers on the operation of the secrecy provisions and on possible changes to enhance the role of the PCA. |
Cabinet has requested a report by December 2007. |
|
R31 |
On the enactment of the Independent Police Complaints Authority Amendment Bill, the Government should ensure that the majority of members of the Police Complaints Authority are from outside the legal profession. If this is not possible with a three-person Authority (if the Authority and the deputy are both lawyers), the Government should give consideration to promoting further legislative change to enable a five-person Authority to be appointed. |
Underway |
An amendment has been included in the Act to allow the appointment of up to five members |
The Act will be in force by December 2007 |
|
R32 |
The Government should adopt a policy that those appointed as members of the Authority reflect community diversity and strengthen the community’s perception of the Police Complaints Authority’s independence. |
Completed |
The Crown Entities Act 2004 requires that consideration be given to the desirability of promoting diversity in the membership of Crown entities. |
The Ministry of Justice will provide advice to Ministers as appointments are considered. |