In November 2004, the Government enacted legislation giving the OPI powers to investigate police corruption. The legislation established the Director, Police Integrity as the same person as the Ombudsman.
“One of my first decisions as Premier was to ask Police Minister, Bob Cameron to examine if it was time to split the OPI and the Ombudsman. Following his discussions with the Director, Police Integrity George Brouwer, he advised it is now time to do so,” Mr Brumby said.
“Mr Brouwer’s advice to Government is the OPI is now an effective, proactive and fully operational anti-corruption body and the split will now occur.”
The amendments to the legislation to split the two bodies will be introduced later this year and will remove the requirement for the Director, Police Integrity to be the same person as the Ombudsman.
“When the OPI was established, it was necessary to utilise the infrastructure and experience of the Ombudsman to rapidly build the operational capacity of the organisation,” Mr Brumby said.
“By linking the two bodies, it was possible to capture intelligence gathered by the Ombudsman over the years during investigations into complaints against police.
“This intelligence would have been lost if the OPI had been established independently at the time.”
Mr Brumby said this approach had been effective as investigations jointly conducted by the OPI and Victoria Police Ethical Standards Department have resulted in the laying of more than 100 charges against current and former members of Victoria Police.
“Late last year, the physical offices of the OPI and Ombudsman Victoria were separated, as the resources had been built up to allow the OPI to operate as a stand alone agency,” Mr Brumby said.
The Brumby Government has provided $51.1 million to the OPI to conduct its work. The OPI now has a staff of 100 people.
The OPI has questioned 68 people using its coercive questioning powers and has made recommendations for change to Victoria Police practices to reduce opportunities for corruption. Victoria Police Command has adopted these recommendations.
“I want to congratulate the work of George Brouwer as Director, Police Integrity. He has established a highly effective organisation for investigating police corruption,” Mr Brumby said.
Mr Brouwer will continue in his role as Ombudsman of Victoria and as Director, Police Integrity until a new Director, Police Integrity will be announced later in the year.