[Greens-Media] Eroding police complaint system dangerous

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 22 May 2006

Eroding police complaint system dangerous

Greens MP and justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the government's
plan to downgrade the complaint process for police will erode
accountability and open the door to increased abuses of police power.

"Premier Iemma's proposal effectively gives police the green light
to act in an unaccountable manner," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The NSW Attorney General Bob Debus is right to ring the alarm bells
at what impact measures like these will have on the people's basic
rights to justice.
 
"The Premier appears to have forgotten the 1997 Wood Royal Commission
into NSW Police and the mire of violence and corruption it uncovered.
 
 "Research shows disadvantaged people are most likely to be subject
to misuse of police powers.

"Indigenous people, young people, people with a mental illness and
the homeless will be more than ever exposed to questionable police
practices as a result of these reforms.

"A strong complaints system has been long recognised as essential to
an accountable force and critical to boost efforts to end police
corruption and abuse of police powers.

"It is particularly important as police wield extraordinary powers
and this government is bent on giving them more.

"It is not the public but the NSW Police Association who have lobbied
for this downgrade," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information
Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au