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What you said about Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll facing a revolt from the ranks

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll might be a ‘nice person who was a good copper’ but she’s failed miserably in her job with many of our readers joining the revolt of frontline cops who want her replaced. What do you think? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll is facing a revolt from exhausted officers over Queensland's crime crisis as officers like Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway are stood down over a police pursuit.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll is facing a revolt from exhausted officers over Queensland's crime crisis as officers like Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway are stood down over a police pursuit.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll might be a ‘nice person who was a good copper’ but she’s failed miserably in her job, according to some of our readers joining the revolt of frontline cops who want her replaced.

Exhausted police say they’re at breaking point from the constant pressure of staff shortages, the gruelling demands of dealing with youth crime, domestic violence and mental health issues and disciplinary notices being “handed out like confetti”.

The crime crisis has come to a head after revelation a police officer was stood down – after a claim that he helped catch armed offenders by authorising officers ram a stolen car on the Gold Coast.

Another two Gold Coast police officers are facing disciplinary action after helping catch armed juvenile offenders in a stolen car.

The revelations has given some ‘enough concern’ on top of many other concerns about Queensland’s escalating crime to want a shake-up, not just at the top, but also giving police greater powers, less political interference, and for our courts to get a lot tougher on repeat offenders.

Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway out jogging on the Gold Coast after facing disciplinary action over a police pursuit. Picture: Nigel Hallett
Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway out jogging on the Gold Coast after facing disciplinary action over a police pursuit. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Some have even called for the Queensland Police Service to be renamed the Queensland Police Force.

“They are not here to provide a service (you get service at Coles). They are here to enforce the law,’’ one of our readers wrote.

“The commish is a nice person and no doubt was a good copper but has failed miserably in the top job,’’ Adam wrote.

“The only decisive decision has been on Covid stand down. Everything else has been reactive with too much bias placed on minority groups or political interference.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll is facing a revolt from the ranks. Picture: Evan Morgan
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll is facing a revolt from the ranks. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The evidence given in the DV inquiry was amateurish at best if it wasn’t for the tragedy a month or so later she well may have been done then.

“The QPS are too top heavy you could make 50% of the brass redundant now it would not affect the frontline one bit.

“That money could be reallocated to extra positions, resources / equipment.

“The next step taking an axe to HQ where on a daily basis 500 plus coppers do nothing … If we don’t make serious radical change now we are done! And I don’t mean that stupid failed service redesign program the commish failed on.”

WHAT YOU SAID

Paul

The elephant in the room is the wrongful promotion system within the QPS. The debacle of huge numbers of staff being promoted to the executive (Inspectors and above) that was challenged, but failed, set the precedent for how this CoP was going to lead. Networking became more important than competence. Like the ex-premier who had a lot of dud ministers. The CoP has just as many or more dud executive staff that are so out of touch and driven by self importance rather than serving the best interests of the community. The rot starts at the top. The only honourable thing the CoP can do is step aside quietly like the ex-premier. Hopefully a new CoP and new government can be more intent on addressing crime. That would underpin restoring morale in QPS staff and retaining the best officers who are all walking out the door without a whimper.

Adele

The Sgt Ottaway story has given me enough concern, on top of many other concerns, to agree that this Commissioner needs to be replaced by someone with stronger, more effective leadership.

Susan

As a retired officer who worked under this regime I can safely say that she does not enjoy the support of the rank and file officers. This is the governance you get when the separation of powers legislation that is supposed to keep political interference away from the police service is thrown in the bin. Believe me that recruitment will not equal the current attrition rate for many years to come to the detriment of the community.

Premier Steven Miles with Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll during a meeting at the Queensland Emergency Services centre in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard
Premier Steven Miles with Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll during a meeting at the Queensland Emergency Services centre in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Steve

Cant believe Minister Ryan said she’s doing a great job, if she (and him as minister) were doing a great job we wouldn’t have youth crime out of control like it is. Got to Go

Fran

In 2022 we had our car stolen and burned and our house ransacked the police and detectives were fantastic. Over a year later we were at the police station and I asked if anyone had been arrested the policeman said no and it wouldn’t have made any difference anyway I had to agree the courts would have let them go with no consequences

Seriously

Worst Minister ever backing up the worst Commissioner ever.

Darren

The Minister and Premier defend their CoP which is admirable.

But if 300 commissioned officers and id say a fair number of NCO’s disagree – id say it’s time the minister and premier started talking to the sgts, senior sergts and Inspectors and less with the executive. I’d say you might have lost touch with the masses minister.

Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service Katarina Carroll at the Queensland Police Service Memorial to acknowledge the 12-month anniversary following the deaths of colleagues Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker
Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service Katarina Carroll at the Queensland Police Service Memorial to acknowledge the 12-month anniversary following the deaths of colleagues Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – Picture: Richard Walker

ROT STARTED YEARS BACK

Bernie

The rot all started years back when Labor converted the Police Force into the Police Service. Ever since, a succession of Labor governments have put more rules and regulations to limit the power of the front line police to do their job.

Labor have totally forgotten the requirement of the separation of powers.

CQ1

The police are fighting with their hands tied. The legal system is simply able to use their discretion and apply the minimum sentence available. It does not matter what the maximum is. I only read today a person who robbed a bottle shop, terrified the staff and had a previous seven page criminal history was given a three year jail term with immediate parole. This was despite already on a suspended sentence when he committed the crime. How can anyone take the system seriously?

Tony

I just heard that the Minister says she’s doing a great job. Well if that’s the case why are the cops on the ground seeing it another way. Management training 101 states if you want to know where a problem is, ask the workers on the factory floor

Michael

She has been lucky to survive this long. She has always been out of her depth.

Wesley

Put the most senior managers out in the cars regularly then. ALL of them. Legislate to indemnify Police from complaints and civil action. Build some gaols and appoint more serious magistrates.

Premier Steven Miles visits the site to lay flowers, with Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll after the alleged murder of Vyleen White, 70, of Redbank Plains. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail
Premier Steven Miles visits the site to lay flowers, with Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll after the alleged murder of Vyleen White, 70, of Redbank Plains. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

BRING THE ARMY IN

stilloptimistic

I think its time we get the Army to patrol the streets of Townsville and Mackay – might finally get some law and order restored!

John Mc

On the positive side, under Carroll’s watch the Qld Police Service have the highest level in the land of training on Equity, Diversity, Inclusiveness, gender issues and a bag full of other useless stuff. They’re too busy to fight actual crime.

Ron

This is what you get when you go woke. Like a cancer, woke ideology has infiltrated our political decision-making. Our laws no longer reflect any semblance of ensuring our society is safe. We are now being eaten alive by the woke monster. Identity politics has smothered recruitment and selection. It’s no longer about selecting who can do the job, but about diversity and equity numbers. The police officers who can do the job because they were selected for the right reasons are bearing the brunt of this trash. No wonder good officers like Arron Ottoway are in open revolt.

Teresa

The QPS and cops on the beat deserve our 100% support and gratitude. They literally do put their lives on the line every day they go to work. If they can’t do their job or are too stressed or scared to, Qld will quickly become a lawless failed state. It’s heading that way with youth crime out of control. While the cops are distracted dealing with these young misfits and covering for other undermanned services, organised crime continues to prosper unabated.

Roy

I’m all in favour of a ‘Police State’ because currently its damned if you do, and damned if you don’t … let the Police decide right/wrong because its only the criminals who suffer. The problem is our current society is too soft & lenient on wrongdoers, we need to get tough and show that crime really does not pay, build more jails.

Shirley 6542

Didn’t the police union help Labor vote Newman out of office – after Newman have them the tools & resources to fight crime? I think the police deserve the weak leader they have: actions have consequences

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/what-you-said-about-police-commissioner-katarina-carroll-facing-a-revolt-from-the-ranks/news-story/d95925340af711294bbbc6d609733ca2