Media Release - Review of 29 NSW Police Force critical incident investigations report

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s (LECC) report analysing 29 police investigations of critical incidents has found that over a quarter of critical incident investigations were unreasonably delayed, and NSW Police Force (NSWPF) record keeping practices impacted on the LECC’s ability to properly assess NSWPF compliance with its own critical incident guidelines.

Media Release

18.06.2019

Review of 29 NSW Police Force critical incident investigations

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s (LECC) report analysing 29 police investigations of critical incidents has found that over a quarter of critical incident investigations were unreasonably delayed, and NSW Police Force (NSWPF) record keeping practices impacted on the LECC’s ability to properly assess NSWPF compliance with its own critical incident guidelines.

A critical incident is an incident involving a police operation that results in death or serious injury to a person. The NSWPF is required to investigate the actions of its members involved in a critical incident. The LECC monitors the investigation of critical incidents from the time of the incident until the completion of the investigation by police, to provide assurance to the public that police investigations into critical incidents are conducted in a competent, thorough and objective manner.

The report, entitled ‘Review of 29 NSW Police Force critical incident investigations’, analysed 29 critical incidents that occurred prior to the LECC’s monitoring function which commenced on 1 July 2017. The report found:

• In 27% of critical incident investigations reviewed, there appeared to be unreasonable delays on the part of the NSWPF in finalising these investigations.
• NSWPF critical incident record keeping practices impacted on the LECC’s ability to properly assess NSWPF compliance with its own critical incident guidelines.
• Low levels of compliance with two key procedural requirements: the requirement to conduct mandatory alcohol testing within desired timeframes of two hours and the requirement to prepare an interim report prior to the completion of a coronial inquest.
• The form used by police to identify and assess conflicts of interest in critical incident investigations is inadequate.

The LECC made three recommendations to assist the NSWPF to improve its compliance with the critical incident guidelines. These have been accepted by NSWPF.

The report can be found on the LECC’s website. LECC report of critical incidents