Complaints, Investigation and Prosecution Unit

Complaints, Investigation and Prosecution Unit

The Department of Internal Affairs can investigate issues about the licensing of private security personnel. Examples include people working as bouncers, security guards, private investigators and repossession agents.

The Complaints, Investigation and Prosecution Unit (CIPU) at DIA was established by the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 which came into force in April 2011.

The legislation created a new Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (Licensing Authority) at the Ministry of Justice. It also established the CIPU to carry out investigations on behalf of the Licensing Authority and, where appropriate, take part in hearings or institute prosecutions for contraventions of the Act.

The CIPU does not handle complaints directly from members of the public. Complaints should be directed in the first instance to the Licensing Authority or free phone 0800 477 752.