Ethical Standards Command

Members of the community have the right to expect the Queensland Police Service to serve them in an ethical and accountable manner. The responsibility of ensuring that the Service conducts its affairs in an ethical manner is vested in all members of the Service and is a core function of the Ethical Standards Command. The goal of the Command is to ensure that the community has confidence in and respect for the Service. This is achieved through the activities of the Internal Investigations Branch, Inspectorate and Evaluation Branch, Ethical Practice Branch, Internal Audit, Research and Evaluation Unit and Intelligence Unit. The Command also works closely with the Crime and Misconduct Commission and other statutory bodies to achieve its aims.

The Operational Policing Program was established to identify, evaluate and implement an integrated policing information solution for the QPS. The Program was identified as the highest business priority of the QPS Information Management Strategic Plan, 2001 - 2010.

The program is working to enhance information integration, both within the QPS and between the QPS and its key partner agencies.

Two projects currently comprise the OPP:

• QPRIME- Queensland Police Records and Information Management Exchange; and
• IMAC- Investigation Management and Control System.

The QPRIME Project is implementing an integrated operational policing information system that will replace many of the major operational systems currently in use within the QPS.

The IMAC Project is an intelligence management system being used in a number of areas of the Service to manage major crime investigations and intelligence.

The role of the Internal Investigation Branch (IIB) is to manage the Queensland Police Service discipline process. It:

• Monitors and overviews the resolution of all breaches of discipline and misconduct complaints;
• Undertakes sensitive investigations into breaches of discipline and misconduct;
• Provides statewide policy development relevant to the discipline process;
• Implements proactive measures to enhance the performance of members of the Service; and
• Liaises with the Crime and Misconduct Commission and other statutory authorities to enhance the discipline process.

Inspectorate and Evaluation Branch (IEB) undertakes issues-based and compliance inspections for the purpose of overviewing compliance with policy and legislation, and provides an independent assessment of management functions in order to promote professionalism, strategic thinking and best management practice. IEB also directs managerial action towards areas of greatest risk and adds value to management efforts to improve performance, accountability and integrity.

Ethical Practice Branch (EPB) promotes and fosters ethical practices throughout the Queensland Police Service. To achieve this the EPB provides support, advice and training to all Service members regarding ethical practices, risk management, corruption prevention planning and strategies, conducting research, managing complaints and discipline processes, and developing policy. The EPB’s Internal Witness Support Unit provides advice and support to Service members who identify and report misconduct or official misconduct committed by others. The EPB develops and implements proactive strategic initiatives that enhance the professionalism and ethical practices of the Queensland Police Service.

Review and Evaluation (R&E) evaluates QPS initiatives and established programs of Service-wide significance; monitors and reviews statewide, national and international policing strategies and initiatives and advises of their efficiency, effectiveness, economy and applicability to the QPS. R&E also undertakes research into initiatives affecting the QPS and co-ordinates the functions of internal and external research through the QPS Research Committee.

Internal Audit (IA) supports the Commissioner with his financial responsibilities by conducting financial, personnel, information technology and operational policing system audits . IA also conducts consultancy reviews where applicable. IA works closely with the Inspectorate and Evaluation Branch in the performance of its duties.

The Intelligence Unit provides intelligence regarding QPS personnel, incidents, work environments and complaint or behavioural trends. The Unit also assists in the development of strategies, including profiling individuals, units and stations to minimise complaints and improve service delivery.

The Crime and Misconduct Act came into effect on 1 January 2002 and amalgamated the Queensland Crime Commission (QCC) and the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) to form the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).

Under the new Act police misconduct is specifically defined and made the responsibility of the Service to deal with. This is a substantial change in direction as under the Criminal Justice Act the CJC had the primary responsibility for dealing with all instances of alleged misconduct involving police. It should be noted that for some time the CJC asked the Police Service to deal with the majority of misconduct complaints.

The Police Service being granted greater autonomy in the manner in which complaints and disciplinary issues can be resolved and managed provides an impetus for the Ethical Standards Command to conduct a review and update of discipline policy.

At this stage it is envisaged that changes will include the introduction of a statewide electronic complaint management system and the appointment of specialist complaint managers within Regions and Commands. There is also scope to provide managers and supervisors greater flexibility and authority to deal with and mediate complaints, and develop innovative solutions to correct behaviour of members where warranted.

The aim of any changes is to provide greater levels of satisfaction to both complainants and members. This can be achieved through speedier resolution of complaints and implementing a system of continuous improvement in the manner in which the Police Service manages complaints and deals with internal discipline. It is hoped that not only will there be an improvement in police behaviour, but that customer satisfaction and service delivery will be improved through these new processes.

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