Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll needs to step up and rid QPS of the rot

It is time Queensland’s Police Commissioner stepped up and told Queenslanders what exactly she is going to do to rid QPS of the rot, writes The Editor.

The recordings were made at the Brisbane Watchhouse.

It is completely outrageous, abhorrent and embarrassing for Queensland Police Service employees to be using racist slurs in any setting. And consequently – yet again – the organisation’s culture is in the spotlight, this time thanks to sworn police and watch-house officers using disgusting racist slurs; including raising fears that Australia will be “taken over”.

Audio of this has been leaked, and submitted to the commission of inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence.

But did Queenslanders hear from Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll yesterday?

No. Instead, Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler was called upon to front questions – and in Townsville no less, despite the incident occurring in a Brisbane watch-house.

As we have noted in this column before, it has become blindingly clear there is a serious problem in our police service. In the past six months there have been examples of misogynistic, and at times predatory, behaviour.

Last month, The Courier-Mail revealed senior female officers were taking aside female recruits on the eve of their swearing-in to warn them they would be hit on by their fellow officers – because they would be considered “fresh meat”.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was a no-show on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The commission of inquiry also heard about blatant sexism, including from two senior officers – one of whom resigned.

This is also not the first time issues of racism – and in general the way the service treats First Nations people – have been raised.

During Ms Carroll’s evidence at the inquiry last month, it was revealed an Indigenous sergeant wrote to her in September saying he was going to leave after a 26-year career because of “cultural fatigue” and burnout relating to experiences of racism and discrimination.

The inquiry also heard that a First Nations reference group which advises Ms Carroll on reform and decision making believes it has “not been treated well” by the Commissioner or the organisation. The group was promised a meeting with the executive leadership team by February this year, as well as a public announcement of their existence at the same time – but neither of those things happened.

There is now no doubt that there are massive problems within the Queensland Police Service, and that some of the people in charge are not fit for their job.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler was given the responsibility of fronting the media. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Yes, there are many good police officers in Queensland – but they are being tainted by inaction.

While Ms Carroll fronted a press conference at the end of her evidence at the inquiry, and consented to a sit-down interview with The Courier-Mail, she has been missing far too often.

The litany of issues plaguing Queensland police demand a proper – public – response from the boss.

Ms Carroll’s shocking performance at the inquiry (that she had to be summoned to appear at), her inability to appropriately take responsibility, and her inadequate management style has called into question whether she is the right person to lead the service.

Ms Carroll never wanted to answer the questions that were thrown at her over days of evidence – much of which shocked Queenslanders. It is time she stepped up and told Queenslanders what exactly she is going to do to rid QPS of the rot. If not, she should pass the baton to someone else.