Civilian Police Oversight: A Contemporary Review of Police Oversight Mechanisms in Europe, Australia and Africa

Abstract This paper, which is based on literature and documentary survey, explores civilian police oversight mechanisms in Europe, Australia and Africa. The paper reveals that Europe has several nations with independent institutions to investigate police misconduct; thought there is limited empirical research on the effectiveness of these institutions. Independent police oversight institutions in Australia have limited investigative powers and they are more of review boards. Two African countries- Kenya and South Africa have independent institutions to investigate police misconduct, though the effectiveness of these two institutions has been questioned.