Independent Police Conduct Authority Releases Report into Police Investigation of Child Abuse

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has released the first part of a report recommending that the Police need to make significant improvements to practices, policies and procedures for the investigation of child abuse.

The IPCA has completed Part One of their investigation which arose following the discovery of a backlog of more than 100 child abuse investigation files in the Wairarapa Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), where there had been little or no progress since the initial complaints.

The IPCA was notified of the situation in the Wairarapa in June 2009, and in July 2009 urged the Police to conduct a nationwide audit of child abuse investigations. In August 2009 the ICPA announced it would conduct an independent inquiry in the Wellington District, and in December 2009 that was broadened to cover Police case management of child abuse investigations nationally.

Part II of the Inquiry will address more specific failures that have occurred.

A Summary of 34 Recommendations has been issued in the following areas:

Police Governance and Crime Reporting
Police Strategic Plans and Priorities
File Recording and Case Management
Policies for Child Abuse Investigations
Conduct and Management of Child Abuse Investigations
District Structures for Management of Child Abuse Investigations
Audit
A full copy of Part One of the report, including all 34 recommendations is available at: http://www.ipca.govt.nz/Site/media/2010/2010-May-18-Child-Abuse.aspx