6-month cop rule may be scrapped

The Territory Government will consider scrapping the six-month time statute for complaints against police.

The NT is the only jurisdiction in the country besides South Australia that has a time limitation on complaints against police.

Chief Minister Clare Martin told the Northern Territory News yesterday that the Government has invited comment from the public and interested parties as part of a review of the Ombudsman’s Act.

“We are considering this input and are looking forward to receiving views from the new Ombudsman when he or she has sufficient time in the role,” Ms Martin said.

In some instances officers found to have breached regulations have escaped punishment because the official investigation has taken more than six months to complete.

Commander Bert Hofer of the NT Police’s Professional Responsibility Command said the six-month time statute was implemented at the urging of police who did not want “issues hanging over their head without a time stipulation”.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Mon, 30 May 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283