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| NEWS > 28 February 2007 |
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Prisoner dob-in line concerns
The Victorian Opposition has questioned the use of a toll-free telephone line by prisoners to contact the Office of Police Integrity (OPI).
Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells says the 1800 number enables prisoners to complain about inappropriate police behaviour.
He says that in 18 months, the OPI has not charged a single officer for corruption and he likens the toll-free number to a witch hunt.
"The Liberal Party would have real concerns about the quality of information, I mean these are criminals who have been sent to prison and I believe that their inform... Read more
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 Article sourced from
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Ninemsn - Sydney,New South Wal
28 February 2007
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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Office of Police Integrity, Vi
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Watchdog to probe Vic police d
Victoria's police integrity watchdog will comprehensively investigate whether police disciplinary measures are enough to stamp out corruption in the force.
The announcement came as George Brouwer, Office of Police Integrity (OPI) director, slammed the powerful police union for sometimes standing in the way of anti-corruption measures.
"I have now decided to trigger off an own motion investigation into the whole of the police discipline system," Mr Brouwer said.
"Discipline is an integral part of trying to bring about a corruption-resistant culture."
The announcement of the latest OPI probe followed the release of a comprehensive review which surveyed patterns of corruption within Victoria Police over the past 150 years.
The report concludes with a stern warning to the police association to abandon its willingness to close ranks around corrupt colleagues.
"It has to make a fundamental decision about whom does the police represent," Mr Brouwer told reporters after releasing the report at an anti-corruption conference.
"Does the police association want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?"
Police Association secretary Paul Mullett hit back at the OPI's assertions his union had helped nurture the brotherhood culture in the force which had helped shield corrupt officers.
"We reject that notion. It's a pity George Brouwer doesn't follow one of the basic principles in our society of natural justice and put these allegations to us before forming conclusions and releasing a report," he said.
Nevertheless, Mr Mullett welcomed the move to investigate the police disciplinary system.
The terms of reference for that review are yet to be announced but already Mr Brouwer has identified problems including the drawn-out processes and the involvement of courts in police discipline.
Those criticisms are anticipated in his 2005-06 annual report which singles out the case of two officers dismissed by Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon who returned to their jobs after successful appeals in the Supreme Court.
The officers later resigned.
In his annual report Mr Brouwer warned that allowing any corrupt officers to remain in their jobs could encourage other police to follow in their path.
"At present, there are too many extraneous factors that create confusion, ambiguities, and that can weaken the chief commissioner's position to deliver what the community would like her to deliver," Mr Brouwer said on Wednesday.
Ms Nixon welcomed the OPI investigation but was diplomatic when asked whether her current powers to dismiss crooked cops were too weak.
"I'm keen to make sure we have a regime that's fair and decent and is effective as well," she said.
Police Minister Bob Cameron said he expected the OPI's investigation into discipline would examine giving greater powers to the chief commissioner to sack officers.
Mr Cameron said the police union was in a compromised position between opposing corruption and defending its members.
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