Author: Victoria. Office of Police Integrity
Title: Report of Investigation into Victoria Police Crime Records and Statistical Reporting
Summary: Crime statistics are used by Governments and the community as an important indicator of police performance. The demand for statistical data on crime management is driven by an assortment of needs, including measuring the effectiveness of national and local crime reduction strategies and determining the allocation of resources. Public confidence in crime data collection processes and the accuracy of published crime statistics is integral to public confidence in the policing services delivered by Victoria Police. This investigation examines the way data is recorded on Victoria Police’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), particularly as it relates to crime clearance rates. Director of Police Integrity, Michael Strong, commissioned the investigation in August 2009, following a referral from Ombudsman Victoria relating to an allegation that some police were involved in the falsification of police records relevant to crime clearance rates and finilisation of crime records. The investigation initially focused on one of the processes that result in a crime being recorded as ‘cleared’ - the Intent to Summons process. Although the investigation revealed evidence some police were using the process inappropriately to clear crime, the evidence does not establish that this was done corruptly to falsify crime clearance rates. Nevertheless, the investigation exposed that the Intent to Summons process used by Victoria Police is open to manipulation. Signifi cant flaws in the system are exacerbated by a lack of clear policies and instructions and inadequate monitoring processes.
Details: Melbourne: Office of Police Integrity, 2011. 94p.
Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2011 at: www.opi.vic.gov.au/file.php?239
Year: 2011
Country: Australia
URL:
Shelf Number: 122263
Keywords:
Crime Statistics (Australia)Police, Records and CorrespondencePolicing |
