Prioritising officer wellbeing by extending the opportunity to respond
After conducting a preliminary investigation, the Commission decided to give an Officer the opportunity to respond to a complaint about in-court conduct. The response was due within four weeks.
Shortly after the Commission made that decision, it became aware that the Officer had not seen the Commission’s correspondence due to the onset of health/medical issues. The Commission chose to extend the time for response in consideration of the Officer’s health and wellbeing.
Over approximately the next six months, the Commission liaised with the head of jurisdiction and gave several extensions for the Officer to respond.
Upon the Officer’s return to work, the Officer provided a response to the complaint.