‘Vagina whisperer’: Lewd comment claims scalp of Far North top cop

The Far North’s own top cop has sensationally resigned after being revealed at a high-level police inquiry as the officer that made lewd comments during a law enforcement conference.

THE Far North’s own top cop in Brisbane has sensationally resigned after being revealed at a high- level police inquiry as the senior officer that made inappropriate comments during a law enforcement conference earlier this year.

Former Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor left the Far North to pursue a high ranking career in Brisbane after being cleared of any wrong doing when he ran over and killed a man on a Cairns police station driveway in 2016.

Former Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Talyor arrived at Cairns Airport from Brisbane on Friday afternoon. Picture: Brian Cassey

Mr Taylor has long been regarded as a regional representative in Brisbane and has maintained close ties to Cairns.

Escaping the Brisbane spotlight on Friday afternoon Mr Taylor hurried through the baggage claim area at Cairns Airport, however declined to comment directly.

He later issued a statement announcing his resignation.

“An incident I was involved in at a conference was brought to the attention of the Commission of Inquiry into QPS responses to domestic and family violence,” he said. “I am devastated about the impact this has had on the reputation of the service, because it does not reflect my values, nor those of the organisation.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor at a Cairns press conference on juvenile crime reforms last year. Picture: Stewart McLean

“It was never my intention to offend anyone, and I am deeply apologetic for the harm it has caused. I was remorseful immediately after the incident, and the Commissioner addressed the matter with me soon after.

“I have given my heart and soul to the QPS and I will forever be proud of what I have achieved in my career.”

At the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence on Thursday Commissioner Katarina Carroll was grilled on the stand about whether the Queensland Police Service had a culture of sexism, racism and misogyny. She was asked directly about a formal speech during which then Dep Comm Taylor referred to his friend, a gynaecologist, as a “vagina whisperer”.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll leaving the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

“To put that in context, the effect of what he was saying was that, if his friend, who presumably was a male is a ‘vagina whisperer’, then ‘vaginas’ are women or women are ‘vaginas’?,” counsel assisting the inquiry Ruth O’Gorman asked Ms Carroll.

Ms Carroll responded: “No, he used that in the context that his friend is a gynaecologist and obstetrician.

“And I don’t know how it was mentioned in the speech. But the person is a friend of the deputy and he himself and I believe the circles he operates within, call him that.”

Ms O’Gorman responded: “But that doesn’t make it okay does it?”

Ms Carroll responded: “No it doesn’t, I was just giving you context.”

Earlier Mr Taylor was dealt with by “local managerial resolution” and told not to use inappropriate language again in a formal setting.

He was personally counselled by Comm Carroll, the inquiry heard.

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Originally published as ‘Vagina whisperer’: Lewd comment claims scalp of Far North top cop