Independent Police Conduct Authority Act 1988

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Investigating Complaints Against the Police"

Illustration for Independent Police Conduct Authority Act 1988

This act sets up the Independent Police Conduct Authority to investigate complaints against the Police. You can complain if you think the Police have done something wrong. The authority will look into what happened and decide what to do next.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM126221.

This page was last updated on 10 December 2025 — View changes

Highlights from this law

12: Functions of Authority

The Authority's jobs include looking into complaints and unfair things the Police do.

13: Duty of Commissioner to notify Authority of certain incidents involving death or serious bodily harm

The Police Commissioner must report to the Authority if a Police employee causes death or serious harm.

15: Duty of Commissioner to notify Authority of complaints

The Police Commissioner must tell the Authority about complaints within 5 working days.

16: Duty of Authority to notify Commissioner of complaints

The Authority must tell the Police Commissioner about new complaints.

17: Action upon receipt of complaint

What happens when you make a complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority

19: Subsequent powers in relation to complaint

What happens next with your police complaint

1: Short Title and commencement, or

"This law is called the Independent Police Conduct Authority Act 1988 and explains when it starts."

Independent Police Conduct Authority Act 1988

Reprint as at:: 2025-11-27
Assent:: 1988-03-10
Commencement:: see section 1(2)

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.

An Act to make better provision for the investigation and resolution of complaints against the Police by establishing the Independent Police Conduct Authority