A legislative proposal to turn the Independent Police Complaints Council into a statutory body to enhance the council's independence and increase public confidence in the Police complaints system will be tabled to lawmakers on July 11, the Security Bureau says.

The Independent Police Complaints Council Bill will be gazetted Friday. It seeks to codify the existing two-tier police complaints system and contains clear provisions on the council's functions and powers to carry out its monitoring and reviewing role regarding complaints against Police. It also provides additional flexibility for the council to employ its own staff and deploy its resources.

Smooth operation

The Police complaints system has been operating effectively and smoothly, and has built in sufficient checks and balances to ensure the Complaints Against Police Office handles complaints fairly and impartially. 

There are provisions imposing a statutory duty on Police to comply with the council's requirements. For example, the council is empowered to require Police to investigate or re-investigate complaints, to submit investigation reports to the council and to provide other information as the council requires.

The bill also empowers the council and its observers to observe Police interviews and collection of evidence for investigating complaints. It allows the council to interview persons in carrying out its reviews and to report to the Chief Executive as it sees fit.

In drawing up the bill, the bureau has taken into account the results of a public consultation exercise and the views of council members and the Legislative Council Panel on Security.