Outcome of the complaint
Understanding the letter about the decision
At the conclusion of the investigation you will receive a letter stating the outcome of the investigation. The letter usually includes little information about why the decision was made. In the letter, one of the terms in the table below will be used to describe the outcome of the investigation. If your complaint is substantiated – or if the investigation uncovers matters not raised by the complainant that indicate impropriety on the part of the police officer – the police decide whether or not to discipline, caution or counsel the police officer.
Getting more information about the investigation
If your initial complaint was lodged with the PSC (and not IBAC), you can access documents about the investigation of your complaint through the freedom of information process (see ‘Where to complain: Misconduct complaints’, above, for an explanation about why you may not get access to documents if your initial complaint was made to IBAC).
The freedom of information process is outlined in Chapter 12.3: Freedom of information law, and in ‘Supporting your complaint with freedom of information documents’, above. In your freedom of information application, ask for copies of all documents relating to the initial incident, and for a copy of the PSC file about your complaint.
Review of the decision
If you are unhappy with a decision made by the PSC, you can ask IBAC to review the decision. If you are unhappy with a decision made by IBAC, you can request an internal review of the decision. An IBAC officer who is independent of the original decision- maker will conduct the internal review.
