The Corruption and Crime Commission has today tabled in State Parliament a Report on oversight of a police investigation into an arrest for disorderly conduct following its monitoring and review of the way WA Police dealt with an allegation of misconduct by an officer.

The matter relates to the arrest of Mr X on 8 May 2020, who was charged with Disorderly Behaviour and, three days later, Assault Public Officer. 

Ten days after his arrest, Mr X lodged a complaint with WA Police about his arrest, and WA Police notified the Commission the following day, on 19 May 2020.

The Commission assessed the information and initially identified concerns with the lawfulness of Mr X's arrest, referring the matter back to WA Police for action on 8 June 2020, with the requirement for their final investigation report to be provided to the Commission once complete. 

On 9 June 2020, the charges against Mr X were discontinued by WA Police. Later the same month, the district investigation was finalised, endorsed by the Professional Standards Division and WA Police informed the Commission the investigation was complete.

The Commission and the Commission's oversight body, the Office of the Parliamentary Inspector (PI), identified concerns with WA Police's investigation into this matter. WA Police reopened their file. However, it took over two years to finalise the investigation into Mr X's complaint. 

In considering the circumstances, Commission considers that the conclusions reached by WA Police were open on the evidence but does question the decision to pursue the charge of Assault Public Officer, given the minor nature of the contact made by Mr X.

Read the full media release

Media release - CCC reports on review of WA Police misconduct investigation

Read the report

Report on oversight of a police investigation into an arrest for disorderly conduct