Police Integrity to Gain Stand-Alone Legislation
Source: Victoria. Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Media Release
"The Office of Police Integrity (OPI) will be able to arm its officers with guns under new legislation being introduced to the Victorian Parliament by Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron. Mr Cameron said the move to establish a stand-alone Act for the OPI would strengthen both the ability of the OPI to investigate matters of police conduct as well as the oversight powers of the OPI’s watchdog, the Special Investigations Monitor (SIM). “The Police Integrity Bill is an important step in the fight against police corruption, ensuring that the OPI is equipped with the necessary powers and resources to rigorously detect, investigate and prevent police misconduct,” Mr Cameron said.“This Bill will enable the Director of Police Integrity to authorise specialist OPI officers working in high-risk scenarios – often alone – to carry and use defensive equipment and firearms."