Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has commenced a thorough review to ensure that police technology and equipment are not misused for personal purposes.
The review, initiated on Monday, May 12, will be conducted independently and promptly.
“I want to strengthen the controls in place to protect police systems from inappropriate use and to identify any instances of misuse,” Chambers stated.
“I anticipate receiving a report that will propose ways to enhance the security of police systems and guard against unauthorized access to inappropriate content.”
The use of police devices, such as laptops and cell phones, as well as access to police-held information, is regulated by strict guidelines.
Police can perform checks on individual devices if concerns arise.
Personal use of police technology is restricted, and users must agree to adhere to police values and behavioral standards when using their devices.
Generally, police devices are restricted from accessing websites and services that are illegal, banned, or could compromise police ICT systems.
Websites that are considered to potentially contain unwanted or offensive material require users to confirm that the interaction is necessary and aligns with the police code of conduct.
There are exceptions for police staff who require access to content that is typically blocked on police devices for investigative purposes.
All web activity on the police network is monitored and filtered through a web filter.
