Ethical Standards Command

Members of the community have a right to expect the Queensland Police Service (QPS) conducts itself in an ethical, accountable and professional manner.  Responsibility for ensuring the Service conducts its affairs in such a manner is vested with all members of the Service.

The goal of the Ethical Standards Command (ESC) is to ensure the community has full confidence in and respect for the Queensland Police Service.  The Command manages the internal discipline process whilst being responsible for promoting ethical behaviour, discipline and professional practice.

There are 5 areas within the Command which, in varying degrees, focus on strategies including deterrence, education and systems improvements in order to promote ethical conduct throughout the organisation.  These work places are:

• Ethical Practice Branch;
• Inspectorate and Evaluation Branch;
• Internal Audit;
• Legal and Policy Unit; and
• Internal Investigations Branch.

Additionally, ESC works closely with the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) and other statutory bodies to achieve its aims.

Ethical Practice Branch

The Ethical Practice Branch (EPB) performs a number of functions aimed at informing, advising, assisting and supporting members with matters which impact on the professionalism and integrity of the QPS.

The EPB is responsible for:

• vetting QPS employees and potential employees when required;
• increasing ethics awareness throughout the Service; 
• providing service-wide training in all aspects of the discipline process; 
• maintaining a coordinated program to advise, assist and support service members who report misconduct and breaches of discipline committed by other employees;
• managing international deployments;
• conducting research; 
• risk management coordination; and 
• implementing corruption prevention strategies.

Inspectorate and Evaluation Branch

The Inspectorate and Evaluation Branch (IEB) incorporates the Inspection Program and the Review and Evaluation Unit to provide an independent assessment of the QPS managerial, administrative and operational functions to promote professionalism, strategic thinking and best management practice.  Research coordination and approval across the agency is also managed by the IEB.
Together with Internal Audit, the IEB is responsible for conducting inspections, systems analysis, operational audits, reviews and evaluations throughout the QPS.  IEB also coordinates and conducts evaluations of major initiatives and emerging issues that may impact upon policing, so as to promote strategic thinking, effective management and best practice within the Service.

Internal Audit

Internal Audit (IA) is an independent appraisal function established within the QPS to examine and evaluate Service activities and to report to the Commissioner on the adequacy of administration and effectiveness in fulfilling the responsibilities imposed by the Financial Accountability Act 2009.

Legal and Policy Unit

The Legal and Policy Unit provides assistance to members, management and senior executive through research and advice on the disciplinary process as it relates to specific disciplinary and criminal investigations and hearings.  The Unit also provides advice in relation to proposed amendments to the discipline policy and the impact of relevant new or amended legislation; upon the disciplinary process.

Internal Investigations Branch

The role of the Internal Investigations Branch (IIB) is to manage the QPS discipline process state-wide and to undertake investigations of deaths as a result of police related incidents or in police custody for the State Coroner.

Branch Management regularly meets with the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) to discuss the investigation and resolution of serious complaints of official and or police misconduct. 

The more serious matters of ‘Official Misconduct’ and ‘Police Misconduct’ may be retained by the CMC or IIB for investigation.  When matters are referred back to the Regions or Command where the incident occurred, then these matters are subject to overview by the CMC or IIB before the matter can be finalised.

Minor matters such as ‘Breaches of Discipline’ remain the responsibility of the Region or Commands to be dealt with at local level subject to auditing by the Ethical Standards Command.

Complaints against Members of the Service

You may make a complaint to the Service or inquire as to the progress on resolving a complaint you have made (Making a complaint against a member of the Queensland Police Service or to the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) in person, in writing or by telephone.  .

 You may direct your complaint or query to any police station in the State or contact the CMC direct.  You may register a complaint with the CMC in a number of different ways including:

• in writing: GPO Box 3123, Brisbane Qld 4001;
• fax: (07) 3360 6006 / (07) 3360 6333;
• email: mailbox@cmc.qld.gov.au; 
• telephone: (07) 3360 6060 or 1800 061 611 (toll free); and
• in person (by appointment): Level 2, North Tower Green Square, 515 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley.

Address and telephone numbers for police stations are available on our Police Station Locator service.  At the police station you will be provided with assistance and advice in making your complaint.

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