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Inquiry into Police Conduct begins
20/5/2005 Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct Following the announcement by the Attorney General on 21 April 2005, that the mandate for the Commission would be altered so that it can complete its work without prejudicing criminal prosecutions, the Commission has been reviewing its processes. These to take into account the government’s directions set out in the Order in Council of 5 May 2005. As directed by government, the Commission will now conduct its preliminary investigations into the way certain types of complaints have been dealt with by the Police in private and will limit its public hearings. The Commission will not investigate any complaints where the allegations that are the subject of current or ongoing investigations by the Police, or that are the subject of criminal proceedings before the court. In line with theThe Commission's terms of reference require the Commission to review the processes followed by the Police in dealing with complaints of sexual assault by members of the Police or their associates. The Commission is not concerned with the merits of those complaints. The Commission will not determine the guilt or innocence of any particular individual in relation to any alleged sexual assault. , Tthe Commission's report will not include any names or any identifying information about the people who made the allegations or about the people alleged to have committed a sexual assault. Nor will the Commission determine the guilt or innocence of any particular individual in relation to any alleged sexual assault. The Commission is currently reviewing the submissions it has received to date to confirm which of those falls within its terms of reference. Submitters will be contacted during this review process and advised whether or not their case falls within the terms of reference, and advised about the next steps for them in the Commission's process. Following this review phase the Commissioner, Dame Margaret Bazley, will conduct a series of private hearings to gather and assess the cases information that falls within the terms of reference. A legal assessor will assist Dame Margaret Bazley when hearing evidence at these hearings. . Counsel for the parties will be in attendance, but these hearings will not be open to the public or to the media. Once the Commission has completed the investigative process, Following the process of private hearings, the Commissioner will then review the issues raised and will determine the next steps in the process. At that stage the Commissioner may hold a public hearing to obtain information on responses to the issues identified, or she may seek further submissions relevant to her preliminary findings. Further information on any possible public hearings and on the type of submission that may be required to assist the Commissioner answer her terms of reference will be outlined closer to the time. As requested by the government, the Commissioner of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct will also receive regular reports from the Commissioner of Police on progress with his review of the use of email by police staff. These reports will be made public. More information on the Commission, including the terms of reference and transcripts of previous public meetings of the Commission can be found on www.cipc.govt.nz For more information please contact the Commission's media spokesperson - Robert Brewer 021 505 044 |
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Last updated: 26/03/2007 |
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