Chapter Contents
Last updated 15 August 2022
Alleged Assault by Police
Disciplinary Offences
Penalties for Police
The Crime and Corruption Commission
Appearing before the Crime and Corruption Commission
Disciplinary hearings in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee
Complaints against Australian Federal Police
Most complaints against Queensland public officials, including police officers, are made to the public service unit employing that particular public official. More serious complaints, however, are made to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), which also reviews some complaints dealt with by the public service unit. Complaints against Australian Federal Police officers are made to the Commonwealth Ombudsman, and corruption allegations are dealt with by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.
Making a complaint to a government department or agency, the CCC or Commonwealth Ombudsman does not prevent a private civil action against the official concerned. In an action seeking damages, the Crown can be sued as the employer of the public official and held responsible for the wrongdoing.
Whilst this part discusses complaints against all public officials generally, the rules and regulations relating to the police service are used to highlight specific issues. Regulations and rules creating disciplinary procedures in the public service may be found in the Public Service Act 2008 (Qld) or in specific legislation relevant to the public service unit in question.
The remainder of this part outlines the types of conduct that give rise to charges of misconduct and looks at the mechanisms in place to investigate complaints and to ensure accountability of the system.
Queensland Law Handbook Online 