Making Complaints Against Police in Tasmania
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Commonwealth Acts of Parliament, federal regulations, and official government guidance. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and court decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
If an AFP officer has acted improperly, three different routes can take a complaint, and choosing the right one matters. The internal channel is AFP Professional Standards, which handles complaints about officer misconduct — excessive force, corruption, abuse of power, procedural failures.
The independent oversight body is the Commonwealth Ombudsman. It can investigate complaints, review AFP practices, and make recommendations the AFP takes seriously.
For serious or systemic matters — corruption, abuse of office, criminal conduct — the route is the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), established in 2023. The NACC has jurisdiction over Commonwealth public officials including AFP officers, and it replaced the older ACLEI. It is a much more powerful body than its predecessor.
Filing is free, and it is a criminal offence for anyone to victimise or retaliate against you for making a complaint.
When does it apply?
You can make a complaint whenever you believe an AFP officer or Commonwealth law enforcement official has:
- Used excessive or unnecessary force
- Been rude, abusive, or discriminatory
- Conducted an unlawful search or arrest
- Failed to inform you of your rights
- Engaged in corrupt or criminal conduct
- Breached the AFP Code of Conduct
Complaints can be made by anyone, including witnesses, family members, and legal representatives.
What to Do If an Australian Federal Police Officer Acted Improperly
- Document everything — write down dates, times, locations, officer names or badge numbers, and exactly what happened.
- Collect any evidence — photos, videos, medical reports, or witness contact details.
- Lodge a complaint with AFP Professional Standards online, by phone, or in writing.
- For independent review, complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman at ombudsman.gov.au.
- For serious corruption matters, report to the NACC at nacc.gov.au.
- Consider getting legal advice before or during the complaints process.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't delay — make your complaint as soon as possible while events are fresh.
- Don't exaggerate or include false information — making a knowingly false complaint can be an offence.
- Don't confront the officer directly about your complaint — use the formal channels.
- Don't assume nothing will happen — the AFP and oversight bodies are required to investigate valid complaints.
How Tasmania differs from federal law
Tasmania has a layered system for complaints against police, involving the Tasmania Police Professional Standards Unit, the Integrity Commission, and the Ombudsman.
- The Tasmania Police Professional Standards Unit (within Tasmania Police) receives and investigates complaints about police conduct, including excessive force, discourtesy, and procedural failures.
- The Integrity Commission, established under the Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Tas), is an independent body that investigates complaints about misconduct by public officers, including police. It can conduct own-motion investigations and refer serious matters for independent investigation.
- The Ombudsman Tasmania can also investigate complaints about Tasmania Police administrative actions, providing an additional oversight mechanism.
- Complaints can be lodged directly with any of these bodies. The Integrity Commission has the power to monitor and audit the way Tasmania Police handles complaints internally.
Professional Standards Command (PSC) — internal Tasmania Police unit
The Professional Standards Command (PSC) is the internal unit within Tasmania Police that receives, triages, and investigates complaints about police officers. Lower-level conduct matters (discourtesy, minor procedural failures) are handled entirely within PSC; more serious matters are referred to, or jointly handled with, the Integrity Commission.
Integrity Commission — designated public officers and serious misconduct
The Integrity Commission, under the Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Tas), has jurisdiction over designated public officers — which includes all members of Tasmania Police — in cases of serious misconduct. "Serious misconduct" is defined in s.4 of the Act and includes criminal conduct, serious breaches of codes of conduct, and conduct that could constitute a disciplinary offence justifying termination. The Commission can conduct own-motion investigations, issue public reports, and refer matters to the DPP.
Practical routing of complaints
- Minor service complaints — Tasmania Police PSC directly.
- Serious misconduct (excessive force causing injury, corruption, serious procedural breaches) — Integrity Commission.
- Administrative complaints (delay, failure to respond, unreasonable decisions) — Ombudsman Tasmania.
- Custodial-conditions concerns — Custodial Inspector.
Additional Steps in Tasmania
Lodge complaints with Tasmania Police (police.tas.gov.au) or the Integrity Commission (integrity.tas.gov.au or 1300 720 289). The Ombudsman Tasmania (ombudsman.tas.gov.au or 1800 001 170) handles administrative complaints. Legal advice is available from Legal Aid Tasmania.
Relevant Law: Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Tas), s 4 (serious misconduct), ss 8–10 (designated public officers); Police Service Act 2003 (Tas); Ombudsman Act 1978 (Tas); Custodial Inspector Act 2016 (Tas)
Common Questions
When does making complaints against police apply?
You can make a complaint whenever you believe an AFP officer or Commonwealth law enforcement official has:Used excessive or unnecessary forceBeen rude, abusive, or discriminatoryConducted an unlawful search or arrestFailed to inform you of your rightsEngaged in corrupt or criminal conductBreached the AFP Code of ConductComplaints can be made by anyone, including witnesses, family members, and legal representatives.
What should I do if an Australian Federal Police officer mistreated me or acted unlawfully?
Document everything — write down dates, times, locations, officer names or badge numbers, and exactly what happened.Collect any evidence — photos, videos, medical reports, or witness contact details.Lodge a complaint with AFP Professional Standards online, by phone, or in writing.For independent review, complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman at ombudsman.gov.au.For serious corruption matters, report to the NACC at nacc.gov.au.Consider getting legal advice before or during the complaints process.
What mistakes should I avoid with making complaints against police?
Don't delay — make your complaint as soon as possible while events are fresh.Don't exaggerate or include false information — making a knowingly false complaint can be an offence.Don't confront the officer directly about your complaint — use the formal channels.Don't assume nothing will happen — the AFP and oversight bodies are required to investigate valid complaints.
Making Complaints Against Police in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.