The Independent Police Conduct Authority wants the ability to launch its own investigations, saying the requirement it can act only on complaints means serious issues affecting the force's reputation are going unexamined.
Appearing before Parliament's law and order committee, the authority's chairman Sir David Carruthers told MPs he believed "own motion" investigations, initiated by the authority itself at a high level would be "useful".
"It surprises me frankly when there is something constantly in the media about police conduct and behaviour where we don't get complaints and so people can say what they like but no one independent investigates it."
In response to questions from Labour MP Phil Goff, Sir David said the capacity to initiate inquiries would allow the authority to move to investigate police conduct related to issues like to the Louise Nicholas case much faster.
"One of the things our involvement does is alert everyone else in the police, particularly senior officers to something going on which can otherwise be hidden.