Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission was established by legislation in May 1993 and operates pursuant to Part III of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992. Its purpose is to provide members of the public with an independent forum for their complaints against Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission functions independently of both the Department of Justice and Public Safety and of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, reporting directly to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador through the Speaker of the House of Assembly. The role of the Commissioner, under powers conferred through the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992, is to receive and maintain a registry of complaints made by members of the public against police officers, and to ensure that they are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Act which provides a framework for investigating, hearing and deciding complaints and handling appeals. Additionally, it is open to the Commissioner to make recommendations to appropriate authorities respecting matters of public interest related to police services.