Report of investigation into Victoria Police crime records and statistical reporting

From foreward: "This investigation examines the way data is recorded on Victoria Police's Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), particularly as it relates to crime clearance rates. I commissioned the investigation in August 2009, following a referral from Ombudsman Victoria relating to an allegation that some police were involved in the falsification of police records relevant to crime clearance rates and finalisation of crime records. -- The investigation initially focused on one of the processes that result in a crime being recorded as 'cleared' - the Intent to Summons process. Although the investigation revealed evidence some police were using the process inappropriately to clear crime, the evidence does not establish that this was done corruptly to falsify crime clearance rates. Nevertheless, the investigation exposed that the Intent to Summons process used by Victoria Police is open to manipulation. Significant flaws in the system are exacerbated by a lack of clear policies and instructions and inadequate monitoring processes... analysis confirmed that there are problems with the Intent to Summons process and concluded that while the system is open to misuse and abuse, the evidence does not establish that the misuse is widespread. Of a total average of 380,000 reported crimes a year, the number of crime incidents that may have been wrongly identified as having been 'cleared' or 'solved' could be between 8,500 and 15,000 depending on the year."