Majority of AFP complaints dismissed without investigation, figures show
The AFP is using discretionary powers to "finalise" the majority of allegations against officers without investigating, despite repeated warnings from the national watchdog, an inquiry has revealed.
According to the national racism inquiry, Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers have had hundreds of allegations against them dismissed without investigation. The inquiry, set to report back to parliament by the end of the year, has revealed that more than half of all complaints made against AFP officers during the last five years were finalised without investigation.
The AFP used a discretionary power under section 40TF of the legislation to dismiss 643 allegations, including those involving allegations of excessive force. The Commonwealth Ombudsman has raised concerns that the agency frequently relies on this power, potentially denying procedural fairness and preventing opportunities for the AFP to improve.
Senator Lidia Thorpe, an independent senator for Victoria, has called for an independent national body to hold police accountable and crack down on section 40TF rulings. She believes the actual number of complaints about racist conduct by AFP officers is significantly underestimated. Of the seven established complaints related to racist language and behaviour, disciplinary action was taken against five AFP appointees, including remedial action and retraining.
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