Case Study: Tasmania

The Tasmanian early intervention system was introduced as part of a broad set of reforms, introduced over a decade. A case study by Porter et al. (2012) involved a retrospective exploration of long-term reductions in complaints and associated integrity management innovations. Information on the EI program was unfortunately limited, and as a result this was not a comprehensive evaluation of an EI system. In addition, as we have seen with other programs and assessments of this type, it was more than usually difficult to directly attribute changes in integrity indicators to the work of the EI system. Nonetheless, the study is worth reviewing in terms of the place of an EI system within a larger package of reforms. The study showed large reductions in multiple complaints against officers, along with a large downward trend in all complaints, suggesting a likely benefit from early intervention as well as other integrity measures. In the more serious category of “Complaints Against Police”, there was an 87% reduction in the rate per 100 officers over 10 years from 23.3 in 1990–2000 to 3.0 in 2008–2009. The study underscores the need for multiple measures against misconduct and unnecessary force, as well as the need for greater transparency around police innovations such as EI systems.