Record level of complaints against NSW police

The number of complaints against NSW police has grown to a record level of more than 1000, new data reveals.

The Police Integrity Commission received 1422 complaints in the past financial year.

The figure represents an increase of 15 per cent in complaints, continuing the steady rise in the number of complaints seen over the past several years.

However, the Commission decided to pursue only 95 of the complaints, with its Investigations Unit "recommending that consideration be given to commencing either a preliminary or full investigation", it noted in its 2007/08 annual report, released today.

The largest category of complaint received was 'improper association' by police with 143 complaints, followed by 137 cases with complaints of improper disclosure of information, and 112 cases of misuse of authority.

There were also 30 cases alleging police had perverted the course of justice, with 47 offences punishable by a maximum five-year prison sentence, the report shows.

During the past financial year, the Commission held public hearings in relation to Operations Pegasus and Luno, concerning allegations that NSW police "engaged in serious police misconduct related to the road side breath testing of persons in regional areas".

Reports on these two investigations is to be presented to State parliament before year-end.