Influences Upon Police Independence of Decision Making in Investigating and Charging Offenders

Abstract

The historical influences of ministerial interference and racially prejudicial practices continue to operate upon police independence of decision making when investigating crime and deciding charges to be laid. High standards of integrity and accountability simply cannot be maintained when these influences upon police discretion repeatedly cause the resignation of police commissioners as well as the degrading treatment of Indigenous people.

Keywords: criminal justice; criminal law; discretion; police