Gold Coast police officer investigated after Facebook comment on DV rally post

A Gold Coast police officer is under investigation after a Facebook comment on a domestic violence post said: “A lot of women sitting around...and a lot of sandwiches NOT getting made.”

A Gold Coast police officer is being internally investigated after a Facebook account commented on a domestic violence rally post: “All I see is a lot of women sitting around…and a lot of sandwiches NOT getting made.”

The remark was made on a Gold Coast Bulletin Facebook news post on May 11, which featured a photo of two young women holding signs reading ‘We are the voices of the women who no longer have one’ and ‘Walking home shouldn’t be a death sentence’.

The post was about a gathering in Broadbeach as part of a national day of action in support of domestic violence victims.

A Facebook account which multiple police sources say is linked to a serving Gold Coast police officer of a different name commented: “All I see is a lot of women sitting around...and a lot of sandwiches NOT getting made.”

The comment drew immediate backlash, with one user responding: “You think this is a joke flogga? I’m embarrassed that you identify as a man.”

The Facebook account responded: “Poor sensitive little snowflake. Do you need a tissue or someone to ring your mommy for you? Give her a minute to answer, she’s still making my sandwich.”

The Bulletin had earlier asked QPS whether it was aware of the comments made on social media by the account linked to the officer and if they would be investigated.

In response, a QPS spokesperson said: “The Queensland Police Service is aware of this matter which is subject to internal investigation. It would be inappropriate to provide further comment at this stage.”

The QPS wouldn’t confirm whether the officer under investigation had been stood down from his duties or whether he would be limited from interacting with vulnerable women or responding to domestic violence incidents while the investigation is conducted.

A police colleague said: “The comments are disgusting. It puts the murder of women on par with sandwiches.

“We have to help the former partners and wives of bikies to flee their relationships and quite often in circumstances where there is extreme domestic violence and they’re at risk of murder.

“It’s an insult to see this sort of stuff (allegedly) posted on an account of anyone – let alone a serving member of the Queensland Police Service.”

The comments were deleted from Facebook after the Gold Coast Bulletin sent original questions to QPS.

In late 2022, the report was handed down into a Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence which heard evidence of racist and sexist behaviour among officers including senior officials. Judge Deborah Richards, who led the inquiry, said there was “ample evidence that there were cultural issues within the Queensland Police Service which inhibit the policing of domestic and family violence”.

The report also noted: “The Commission has found clear evidence of a culture where attitudes of misogyny, sexism and racism are allowed to be expressed and at times acted upon, largely unchecked.”

Originally published as Gold Coast police officer investigated after Facebook comment on DV rally post