21 Sep 2016
Police Search and Arrest Powers
The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN ( 14:37 ): Have the police officers referred to in the Ombudsman’s report been disciplined?
The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) ( 14:37 ): I have been advised, generally, by the police commissioner this morning that any individual or individual case that is examined by the Police Ombudsman, where it is found that a police officer has used their powers inappropriately, or has not and complied with the law, that SAPOL take that incredibly seriously.
They understand the importance of the public trust that is vested within them, which enables the legislature to be able to pass laws and provide them with the powers they need to get on with policing business. They understand how important and fundamental public trust is to the retention of those powers and authorities and, therefore, they take it very seriously when someone doesn’t utilise them appropriately.To answer your question, that means that, where it is found that a police officer hasn’t acted appropriately, they are disciplined accordingly through internal disciplinary procedures.
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