ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on an often neglected aspect of police oversight: what performance indicators should be used to best measure the effectiveness of independent, civilian agencies established, among other things, to monitor, review and/or investigate complaints against police and enhance police integrity. In attempting to address this question the authors wrote to the heads of agencies which oversight complaints against police in all Australian states and at the federal level. They also analysed the annual reports of the oversight agencies to identify which performance indicators they use when measuring their effectiveness. The ndings show that the majority adopt a fairly basic and largely quantitative approach that focuses primarily on matters processed. This method is supplemented by self-selected, qualitative case studies that highlight the positive impact of the civilian oversight process. A very limited number of agencies also use stakeholder surveys and independent audits. The chapter concludes by recommending that police oversight agencies adopt a broader, multi-faceted approach when measuring their effectiveness. The authors suggest a four-part model that draws together notions of ‘procedural integrity’, ‘procedural rigour’, ‘timeliness’ and ‘contribution to police integrity’.
