Ethical standards units in Queensland government departments could be abolished and the government could refuse the public access to documents without giving a reason, under recommendations arising from an inquiry into the crime watchdog.

The Callinan and Aroney inquiry into the Crime and Misconduct Commission was scathing of the watchdog in some parts of its report and also recommended people who make ‘‘baseless’’ complaints face prosecution.

The executive summary was released on Wednesday morning, with the state government now considering 17 recommendations which would overhaul and restructure the CMC, forcing complainants to sign declarations which would stop them talking about their complaint.

The recommendations would also stop the crime watchdog undertaking any research without the state government’s permission.