Reconciling stakeholder interests in police complaints and discipline systems

Abstract

This article summarizes surveys of three key stakeholder groups in the police complaints and discipline process: the public, complainants and police. In general, public and complainant surveys showed strong support for independent processing of complaints. Complainants were generally deeply dissatisfied with police-dominated and mixed (police/independent) systems. Police experiences and views regarding complaints systems were divergent, but with high levels of satisfaction where they experienced independent processing. Overall, it appears that a much greater role for an independent agency can be managed in a way that substantially satisfies all three groups, especially with the inclusion of informal resolution and mediation options.