What you said about the decision to stand down Qld police officer Arron Ottaway

Queensland’s crime battle is being played out off our streets as much as on them, if you ask many in the state. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Queensland’s crime battle is being played out off our streets as much as on them, if you ask many in the state.

Revelations that 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 – sparked a war of words with readers.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was immediately being urged to reinstate the respected officer as fury grew and new details emerged about how he was stood down.

An internal police unit was reviewing the claim that Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway allowed officers to ram the stolen Volkswagen Arteon when it had been driving for 18 minutes on its rims on February 1 after tyre-deflating devices, or stingers, were used.

It’s the second time the officer had been stood down for a pursuit, after he was last year placed on desk duties after an internal investigation into the pursuit of a stolen car driven by teens in which police rammed the car in a control precision immobilisation technique known as a PIT manoeuvre.

There was no sanction, guidance nor any other disciplinary action against Sgt Ottaway for the matter.

Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway

The standing down comes amid the state’s crime crisis, with thieves increasingly targeting homes to steal cars.

Readers were quick to chime in.

Some claimed it was yet another case of police officers having their hands tied behind their backs by state powerbrokers.

Some, though, said rules are there for a reason and must be followed.

However most agreed – crime across Queensland remains out of control.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Let’s salute our cops

Peter

fantastic job. about time. keep doing an awesome job. you need a medal.

Jan

Sorry Sgt Ottoway, the CoP might not, but the majority if Queenslanders applaud you.

Graham

This officer deserves a medal, not disciplinary action. How far out of touch are the senior officers with the real world of policing? No wonder good hardworking police are leaving the force in droves and recruitment to replace them is so low.

Robert

Thank you senior Sargent job well done you probalby saved someone’s life

Reg

Should be given a medal not a reprimand. The crims get off lighter

Tony 2 Shoes

The poor coppers are fighting a war with one arm tied behind their back.

Jan

This is an absolute crock, why should he be stood down. The criminals are just laughing in the face of the police because the do gooders are letting them off

Have Queensland police lost all power on the streets?

We’ve lost the plot

Kirsten

Let’s be clear if you steal a car that’s a criminal offence. If you’re old enough to know how to steal a car then you’re old enough to understand that it’s wrong and that there are consequences for breaking the law. The problem is that kids think they have no consequences. These are armed kids. Their not on there way to church. Let’s support the heroes who have chosen to protect our communities from all offenders.

Realistic

This Govt & Police bosses are so far out of touch with reality they might as well give the keys to the criminals.

Snr Sgt Ottaway is the true hero here!

Susan

If kids want to steal a car and go driving it around then if the cops catch up with them and can knock them out without causing harm to other motorists and public then go ahead. You want to be in a stolen car then you have no rights.

scott

What are you doing Commissioner?? They were using a procedure that these police were trained to perform, it even has a name PIT. Looks like it had a successful outcome - would she have rather the stolen car crash into an innocent family and they are collateral damage. I would rather have this Senior Sergeant than Commissioner Carroll. This man needs the full support of the public and the union.

Gordon

No brainer - uhh - how much worse will it get before they allow cops on the beat to do their jobs

Eloise

He’ll soon leave the job and be replaced by a ‘woke’ recruit. God help us.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Our bigwigs are out of touch

Birgit

It’s clear from these comments that our current system, shaped by politicians, is out of touch. If we persist down this road, red tape will only strangle what little life remains.

RogerJ

16 minutes ago

It’s called police work. Doesn’t look anything like the 12th floor of 1 William St.

V of R

Politicians, bureaucrats and senior police, should be doing what the community need and want.

Deslee

We don’t have a Police Force anymore just a Children minding centre.!

Considered

Put him behind a desk pushing BS paperwork and let the crims run riot. great plan Commissioner and Miles. Stand down if you can’t do your jobs.

Chris

Head office police work for the Minister, not the people. Frontline police are crying out for support in addressing crime but are told there is no crisis. BAU for youth crime, domestic violence call outs and communities continue to suffer