The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) reviews and investigates reports of serious misconduct and corruption in the public sector in WA. The CCC also works with the WA Police to reduce organised crime.
Serious misconduct occurs when a public officer acts corruptly or takes advantage of their position for the benefit or disadvantage of another or commits an offence. Examples include bribery, blackmail, extortion, fraud, forgery, and falsifying records.
What types of complaints can you make?
If you suspect a public officer (state government employee or police officer) is in involved with serious misconduct or corruption, you can submit a complain to the CCC.
Corruption by WA State Government Employee (excluding police):
You can make a complaint if you believe a WA State Government employee has:
- Misused their position to benefit themselves or someone else.
- Committed a serious offence while carrying out their public duties.
Examples of corrupt conduct include:
- Bribery: Offering, giving, receiving, or accepting money, gifts, or favours to influence decisions or actions.
- Fraud, theft or embezzlement: Dishonestly using government money, property, or resources for personal gain.
- Misuse of public funds or resources: Using government money or assets for private purposes.
- Misuse of confidential information: Improperly using or sharing information obtained through their government role.
- Dishonest use of influence: Using one’s role or power inappropriately to help themselves or others.
- Improper procurement or contracting: Awarding contracts, buying goods or services, or making hiring decisions to benefit friends, family, or themselves.
Serious Police Misconduct or Corruption:
You can make a complaint if you believe a police officer or police employee has engaged in serious misconduct, corruption, or behaviour that raises significant integrity concerns.
Examples include:
- Excessive force: Using more physical force than was reasonably necessary.
- Discrimination or prejudice: Treating people unfairly because of race, gender, disability, or religion.
- Unlawful entry, search, or arrest: Entering property, conducting a search, or making an arrest without lawful authority.
- Failure to take required action: Seriously neglecting or refusing to perform duties that are required by law or policy.
- Falsifying police records: deliberately changing or tampering with police records, statements, evidence or seized property for an improper purpose.
- Unauthorised use of information: Accessing, sharing, or using police information or databases for personal reasons.
- Misuse of police power and resources: Using police vehicles, equipment, systems, or other resources for personal benefit or unauthorised purposes.
- Violence, stalking, or sexual misconduct: Abusive, harassing, or inappropriate behaviour by a police officer, whether on or off duty.
- Offensive or disgraceful behaviour: Sharing racist, sexist, or offensive material, falsifying records, or engaging in conduct that brings the police service into disrepute.
Unexplained wealth:
You can complain to the CCC if you suspect a person may have unexplained wealth or may have obtained advantages or benefits from serious criminal activity. This category is not limited to WA police or public officers.
You cannot submit a complaint about:
- Minor misconduct - generally dealt with by the Public Sector Commission.
Jurisdiction: The CCC has authority to investigate serious misconduct or corruption involving a Western Australia public officer. However, reports concerning a person with unexplained wealth as a result of suspected organised crime is not limited to WA public officers.
Time limits: There is no specified time limit for making a complaint, but you are encouraged to make complaints as soon as possible.
Scope: Your allegation can be about past matters, something that is occurring, or is likely to occur.
Discretion: The CCC may decline to take action after assessing your complaint. If this occurs, you will be notified.
Who can you make a complaint against?
- Public Officers: including state government employees, members of Parliament, local government elected members and employees, and employees of public universities.
- Police Officers and Staff: including all WA police personnel.
- Former Public Officers: The CCC can investigate conduct that occurred while a person was a public officer, even if they are no longer employed in that role.
- Judges, magistrates and other judicial officers: only in rare and serious cases, such as bribery or conduct that could justify removal from office.
Are you eligible to make a complaint?
Anyone can submit a complaint to the CCC, including on behalf of another person.
Anonymous complaints can be submitted but may limit the ability of the CCC to investigate if they cannot contact you for more information.
What can this body do to help?
The CCC may:
Investigate: The CCC generally focuses on the most critical complaints, only investigating around 1% of the complaints they receive.
Refer: The matter may be referred to an independent agency or authority for further investigation. The CCC may maintain an oversight role in this instance.
Review: The CCC can review how an appropriate authority has handled a complaint of serious misconduct.
Recommendations and Parliamentary Reports: The CCC may recommend actions such as prosecution, disciplinary action, or other appropriate steps. They may also report their findings to Parliament after an investigation.
How to prepare your complaint:
When making your complaint, include as much clear information as possible.
Personal details: Include your name, address, phone number and email address. Note your preferred method of communication. Anonymous complaints may be submitted but may limit the ability of the CCC to follow up on your complaint.
What happened/Relevant Facts: Give details such as:
- Clearly describe the incident of serious misconduct.
- Identify the person involved including name, position, agency etc.
- The date, time, and location of the incident.
- Explain any ongoing danger or need for urgent assessment.
Evidence: Include any supporting information such as documents, emails, names and contact information of any witnesses.
What NOT to include: It is an offence to make a malicious or reckless report or to provide false or misleading information.
Lodging your complaint and next steps:
The CCC encourages you to submit your complaint via the online form for faster processing, but you may also call a toll-free allegation line or mail your complaint.
- Online Form: Make a Report | Corruption and Crime Commission
- Phone: 1800 803 186
- Post: PO Box 330, Northbridge Post Shop, WA 6865
What happens next: The CCC will assess your complaint and consider taking further action. They will look at: whether it was made in good faith, if it has been previously investigated, and if further action is in the public interest among other considerations.
The CCC will notify you if they decide to take no further action or if they need more information for an investigation.
Other things to know: The CCC handles all reports confidentially. However, if your report is referred to another agency, your details and the information you provide may be shared with that agency.
More information:
Refer to the factsheet provided below for more information.
