February 1999 Volume 80 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
President's Message

Police Complaints Authority Review

It is now several months since retired judge Iris Stevens’ review of the Police Complaints Authority was tabled in Parliament. In her report, Mrs Stevens identified ambiguities in the Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act, and suggested a number of statutory amendments for consideration.

The summary of issues which she identified was entirely consistent with the major concerns voiced by police officers over many years. It included the questions of:

• Supplying police officers with particulars of allegations made against them.
• The opportunity for police officers to make submissions in their defence.

Mrs Stevens also raised the issue of reports’ confidentiality.

It is important that the South Australian community, and members of SAPOL, have confidence in the Authority’s operations and processes. This will not be the case until the appropriate statutory amendments are instituted.

To establish the Government’s intentions in relation to the review, Police Association officials will meet with the Attorney-General in the near future.

At the earliest opportunity, the Government must address the unfairness which the review has so clearly identified.

Peter Alexander    President