Police investigating police. I don'y buy the economic argument that there is a cost involved and therefore its better to have an internal investigative body and save money. In NSW with a force of about 17,000 people an independent investigative unit is warranted, as it is federally, and in other states. No matter how detached an internal unit is from the main body, there is always going to be a perception of bias as police investigate police. Whether that bias is intentional or accidental it is always going to be there no matter what. Remembering to that often these inquiries are of a most serious nature, involving the loss of human life. In such circumstances only the most open and independent inquire will do.

Paul1405, "there is always going to be a perception of bias as police investigate police"

Perhaps among the easily influenced and the oppositional disturbed who are forever confronting authority. Dishonest headline hunting politicians prey upon them, making them more confused and angry against the world.

It is not smart to stir up youth to be angry and distrusting of government and legitimate authority. Better to encourage young people and show them how to participate in their community and work together with others for a good result. -More civics and less confected outrage is needed.

The Greens will always struggle for credibility where they prefer the easy path of garnering that few percent of votes from fomenting protests, instead of coming up with real policies, integrated, costed and budgeted for.

Hi there STEELEREDUX...

It's of little value to you, if people continue to reassure you, that you did everything possible to provide assistance in the circumstances, and you don't believe it yourself? And yet after all this time, you continue to remonstrate with yourself, 'that I could've done this, or I could've done that'. Be content with the knowledge, you tried to do something. Much more than many others in our community would've done, I can assure you of that STEELEREDUX!

The instance I'd described earlier, though I (think) I did my best, I failed to properly clear his airway, and that was a serious error. His mouth contained a fair quantity of vomitus as well, the food particles apparently, were lodged well back in his throat near the root of the tongue.

I believe it was probably my unwillingness to deal with all this 'muck' in and around his mouth, even though I did ultimately commence CPR in a timely manner. It's my understanding most uniformed patrols carry plastic CPR depressors, which fits over an adults mouth, alleviating the need to make any contact, with the patient. Thereafter I nearly swallowed a full bottle of Listerine, one of the less pleasant duties I've needed to perform, still?

Beach, "easily influenced". "confronting authority", "stir up youth",
"distrusting of government and legitimate authority ".You indicate a willingness to support a complaint, unquestioning and submissive society. In your ideal there is no mention of checks and balances, no mechanisms to question government authority, no questioning of decisions which undermine democracy, at all. The danger is the erosion of civil liberties by that very authoritarian regimes you might see as legitimate government.

Hi there PAUL1405...

While it might appear the coppers get away with just about anything, you'd be surprised at how invasive and thorough their various internal investigations are? The auditory processes the average copper must submit himself to, is astonishing as well as draconian. He doesn't enjoy the same legal protections a normal citizen takes as a given. And he's compelled to answer questions that are put to him - in other words, the burden of proof is reversed, he's considered guilty, until proven innocent?

The number of IID's I've had to contest personally, would knock out a brown bull! One extraordinarily frivolous complaint, it was alleged by this women, that I was speeding in an unmarked police vehicle? When my advocate asked how could she be so sure that it was me driving, she said she recognised me from a media photograph that had been shown in the previous nights evening news? The only small error in her account, I happened to be overseas on rec. leave at the time of this alleged offence. Oh those heady days of being a policeman Paul!

Hi o sung wu,

When dealing with the public you will always from time to time have complaints lodged against you. Greater the number of people you interact with the greater the number of complaints. One of my sons is a public bus driver, and from time to time, at least once a year there is a serious complaint lodged, which he has to answer. Considering the number of passengers he would transport per year, many thousands in fact, and given the number of crazy people that use public transport, the percentage is very very small.
When you are in a job like that of a police officer, and you have to confront people in a way that is necessary, and often adverse to them, there is a high likelihood that people will take their anger and frustrations out on you, through the complaint mechanism, and certainly that's not always justified. People working for 'Centrelink' can attest to that fact also.

Where I want an independent body investigating complaints against police, is only those of the most serious nature, including instances resulting in the loss of life or serious injury, and those of great public interest. I see your case as an internal matter only.