How will my complaint be dealt with?

The process applied to the complaint will depend on the nature of the alleged conduct and issues involved. WA Police Force will seek to resolve/address your complaint in the following manner: 

• through assessment, explanation or direct response (law, policy and procedure); 
• by formal investigation for matters assessed as being of a more serious nature.

Assessment, explanation or direct response

On receipt of your complaint an assessment of the information provided will be undertaken at the District level or by the Police Conduct Investigation Unit.

Where the assessment does not identify misconduct, a breach of the WA Police Force Code of Conduct or relates purely to a service delivery issue, then we may be able to successfully resolve the matter by way of explanation (law, policy, procedure, status of task or current inquiry) by direct response.

Serious complaints (Formal Investigation)

Formal investigations are undertaken by appointed investigators who are empowered to conduct video/audio interviews, take statements, interview witnesses and gather all relevant evidence to prove or disprove allegations of a complaint.

Investigations of this nature usually take longer to complete and during the investigative process you are entitled to contact the investigator and seek advice as to the status of the inquiry.

Our aim is to resolve serious complaints within 60 days, however, some complaints due to the nature or seriousness of the allegation, may take longer.

When completed, you will receive written advice of the outcome.

Complaint outcomes

At the conclusion of the investigation recommendations may include that the complaint was either: sustained; not sustained; unfounded; or exonerated (did occur but was justified/lawful).

Where a complaint is sustained, measures that may be instigated include: remedial/developmental action under the WA Police Force Managerial Intervention Model; Discipline charge/s under Police Force Regulations, Criminal charge, Commissioner's Loss of Confidence (potential dismissal); and changes to Police policy, procedures and guidelines.

Corruption and Crime Commission

Complaints made about WA Police Force employees are subject to external review and/or audit by the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).

Should you not be satisfied with the outcome or the manner in which your complaint was handled you can raise your concerns with the CCC who may take further action or refer the matter back to police for consideration of further investigation.

More information:

Brochure: Making a complaint about the police (PDF, 550kb)

Police Conduct Investigation Unit
Locked Bag 6
East Perth WA 6892
8am-4pm
Email us
Ph: 6372 6000

Corruption and Crime Commission
PO Box 330 Northbridge Post Shop 6865
Level 5, 45 Francis Street
Northbridge 6003
Tel: 9215 4888
info@ccc.wa.gov.au
www.ccc.wa.gov.au

State Ombudsman
Tel: 9220 7555
Country callers 1800 117 000
www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au

Equal Opportunity Commission
Tel: 9216 3900
Country callers 1800 198 149
www.equalopportunity.wa.gov.au