The Honourable Justice Lowell Goddard
The Hon Justice Lowell Goddard is a judge of the High Court of New Zealand and Chair of the Independent Police Conduct Authority in New Zealand. The Authority is an Independent Crown Entity with the specific role of ombudsman for complaints against the Police and has responsibility for scrutinizing Police’ poli
cies and procedures and investigating serious incidents. The mission of the Authority is: To promote public confidence in the Police through its investigation and appropriateness of Police actions, procedures and policies and the making of recommendations, and to ensure that the public of New Zealand can have a trusted and trustworthy Police. The Authority currently has a dual function: to investigate serious incidents and complaints and examine policies practices and procedures, and to review Police investigations into complaints against their members. The staff of the Authority comprise both experienced investigators and legally trained personnel. The Authority has power to make recommendations, including recommendations that disciplinary or prosecutorial action be taken. The Authority has discretion to publish reports of its findings and recommendations in the public interest.
The Authority also has responsibility as a National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). In this role the Authority is required to monitor conditions in all Police custodial facilities and report to the International Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture.
Justice Lowell Goddard is one of four representatives on the INIOP steering group that represent the Asia/Pacific region.
