Getting investigations right matters, not just for compliance, but for trust, fairness and better decision-making across the public sector.
In a recent article for The Mandarin, QUT Associate Professor Christopher Emzin explains why investigations play a much bigger role than simply responding to complaints or incidents. Drawing on 37 years’ experience in the Queensland Police Service as a criminal investigator, prosecutor and senior operational leader, Emzin writes that well-run investigations help organisations understand what’s really happening on the ground, and whether policies and regulations are delivering the outcomes they’re meant to.
Rather than treating investigations as a box‑ticking exercise, Emzin says they should be used as a practical tool to test decisions, uncover recurring problems and strengthen public confidence. As rules, systems and expectations become more complex, investigators need to handle large volumes of information, work across teams and cultures, and apply fairness and sound judgement at every step.
Emzin also highlights a growing skills gap across the public sector. Too often, people are asked to investigate serious matters without the right training or frameworks in place. This can lead to mistakes, inconsistent outcomes and unnecessary risk for both organisations and individuals. Effective investigations, he explains, rely on a clear skill set, including ethical judgement, critical thinking, cultural awareness and strong communication, supported by structured, defensible processes.
Primary Investigation Officer Cassandra Frankham reinforces this point in the article, noting the risks of an informal approach. ‘If you are just doing things on the fly, making it up as you go, you risk not properly reviewing matters,’ she says. She adds that fairness and compliance are essential, particularly when dealing with legislation such as privacy laws.
The article also explores the human impact of investigations. Emzin stresses that ethical, intelligence‑led investigations are not only about accountability, but about delivering better outcomes for the communities public institutions serve. Respect, objectivity and an understanding of different perspectives are critical to getting investigations right.
For professionals working in justice, compliance, regulation, intelligence or related fields, or those looking to move into these areas, the article highlights why investigation skills are becoming increasingly important to career progression and leadership capability across the public sector.
Read the full article: Getting investigations right in the public sector on The Mandarin.