WE URGE THOSE AFFECTED BY QUEENSLAND POLICE TO ACCESS YOUR INFORMATION FROM THEM

FOLKS - This update is important information for those affected in any way by the Queensland Police 'Service'.

A while ago, QPS had this 'memorandum of understanding' with the Office of the Information Commissioner - ensuring the Information Commissioner would rule on the side of police when a member of the public tries to get hold of information held by QPS about them. 

FORTUNATELY this has been overturned through appeal, so the FIRST consideration is whether or not there is a PUBLIC INTEREST ASPECT to your case. The ability to lodge a formal complaint, prosecute police officers, or sue them in court weigh very heavily in favour of the public interest aspect.

This means they can not legitimately withhold information if that information were to bring the Police Service into disrepute or undermine the public confidence in the Police 'Service'.

There are strict timelines around when they respond to your request, and their decision is REVIEWABLE by the Office of the Information Commissioner in Queensland. I would encourage anyone who has had any unfortunate dealings with the police to get access to their information.

In the mean time, please help us to promote this petition. A Civilian Oversight Committee should have the power to order compensation to victims of Police Misconduct, privacy breaches and the like.

The link to the petition can be shared by copying and pasting into text messages, emails, and on social media. Lets see if we can double the number we already have to send a strong message that the public will no longer accept the way things have been done for years. The link is  https://chng.it/W2fbscPBVw