Qld Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll resigns from $650k role amid horror youth crime crisis

The payout Katarina Carroll will walk away with after sensationally resigning as Police Commissioner can today be revealed.

• Good, bad and ugly: Top cop’s five years

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said there was “no doubt” outgoing Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll experienced sexism as the head of Queensland Police.

It comes amid confirmation Ms Carroll will walk away with about $216,000 in lieu of serving out the remaining four months of her contract after she was forced to sensationally resign early as the state’s top cop to “clear the air” after mounting pressure over Queensland’s youth crime crisis.

Ms Carroll met with Police Minister Mark Ryan in the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge at Brisbane airport early this morning where she told him of her intention to step aside.

The meeting came hours after she told media outlets: “I may not ask for an extension to my contract.”

An all-staff email just moments before she fronted a media conference read: “This morning, I formally advised the Minister of Police … that it is not my intention to renew my contract as Commissioner of Police for Queensland. My last day with the Queensland Police Service will be Friday, March 1.”

REVEALED: Most likely candidates to swoop on top cop’s $650k job

The Commissioner has faced escalating tensions in police ranks and mounting criticisms over the state’s youth crime crisis since the stabbing death of Redbank Plains grandmother Vyleen White in the car park of her local shopping centre.

“Since the start of the year, I have had candid conversations with my husband (about resigning), with my children who have been unbelievably supportive every step of the way,” she told journalists.

Ms Carroll said she had been planning to have a conversation with Mr Ryan about not renewing her contract in about two weeks.

“But what happened is obviously with this heightened speculation and chatter that I just want the air to be clear,” she said.

“I don’t want the distraction for the QPS. I just want people to concentrate on what we’ve done, what we’ve achieved and what we need to do.”

Speaking a day after Ms Carroll’s resignation, Ms Fentiman said she had no doubt the Commissioner experienced sexism during her time in the police service.

“We know through the Commission of Inquiry that there is sexism in the police force,” she said.

“So I have no doubt that she did experience that and she has talked previously about that.

“But she has made the decision that the time is right for there to be a transition of leadership.”

The death of Ms White, allegedly at the hands of a teen car thief with a knife, was followed by unrest among Gold Coast police over the standing down of an officer who authorised the ramming of a stolen car.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture: Liam Kidston

The car allegedly had juvenile offenders on board.

That was followed by commissioned officers across the state saying they would meet over the “direction” of the leadership of the QPS.

Ms Carroll denied frustrations over the stand down of Gold Coast Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway had played a role in her decision.

She was asked if she felt she had been made a scapegoat for the challenges the police service was facing.

“I don’t feel I’ve been made a scapegoat at all,” she said.

She said the police response during the 2014 G20 summit in Brisbane was a “significant milestone” in her career that she had felt privileged to be a part of.

She said she had led the service through natural disasters, the Covid-19 response and an “extraordinary increase in domestic and family violence and mental health matters”, as well as a “skyrocketing demand” for police assistance.

“And we are challenged by the serious youth offending,” Ms Carroll said.

Ms Carroll said she wanted to be remembered as a “fair and compassionate leader” who cared about her people.

“I think as leaders you always look back and think wow, I’ve got more work to do, I could have done that better, but that’s leadership,” she said.

“The biggest thing I’d like to be remembered for is that I care deeply for my organisation, that I have been relentless in making changes where they’re needed and that I care for my state, as do my police officers.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles on Monday had thrown his support behind the under-fire Commissioner. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

She said her darkest days at the helm were the deaths of three of her officers during the course of their duty.

“Two days as commissioner, which were by far the darkest (were) June 26, 2021, when we lost Senior Constable Dave Masters while on duty,” Ms Carroll said.

“And December 12, 2022, the events at Wieambilla where Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were killed.

“They were heart wrenching moments which rocked our blue family.”

Ms Carroll became emotional when speaking about spending more time with her family, including her daughter who lived in the US.

“It really is about family,” she said.

“At eleven-and-a-half years at such a level, I’ve averaged less than two weeks of recreational leave a year.

“There are many times I’ve wanted to go on leave but I’ve had to cancel … so we had a candid discussion that really, it’s been 11 years … that we really needed to let it go and spend some time reflecting on life and enjoying the family.”

Premier Steven Miles, joining Ms Carroll as she announced she was stepping down, thanked her for her “great service to our state”.

“She has delivered important reforms … I’ve been proud to work alongside her,” Mr Miles said.

“I will never forget the funeral after those awful Wieambilla murders.”

He said Ms Carroll had “nursed Queenslanders” through that tragedy.

Mr Miles denied the leadership shift was a sign of instability within the QPS.

“We have a fantastic service and there are many great leaders in the police service, and leaders move on. That’s what happens in all organisations.

“But good, strong organisations can do leadership change in an orderly way.”

Police Union President Ian Leavers said the role of Police Commissioner was a “long hard slog” that was 24/7. Picture: John Gass

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said he would advocate for a Queenslander to be the next commissioner but wouldn’t back a particular person.

“But one thing I think is really important, whoever the commissioner will be we need to have an emphasis and a focus on the frontline and back the frontline continually,” he said.

“They are the ones who are doing it tough, each and every day.

“Sometimes there are other positions which may be doing other functions but it is really important we focus on the frontline because that is where we are hurting, not only in Queensland, right across the country,” he said.

“And too often we see other agencies abrogate their responsibilities to police on each and every occasion.

“So there is an opportunity for other agencies to step up and do their job instead of leaving everything to frontline police.”

Mr Leavers was not critical of Ms Carroll’s commitment to the job which he described as a “hard slog”, that was a “24-7 job that consumes you”.

“I know last year when her father passed away she didn’t even get to a chance to grieve the passing of her father,” he said.

Mr Leavers said the Commission of Inquiry into police responses to domestic violence focused on police rather than any other agencies being held accountable, which he said was unfair.

“It seems to be an expectation that police are the parents to every child in Queensland,” he said.

“Police are the only 24-7 agency in Queensland but we cannot do and be everything to everyone.”

Mr Leavers said he hoped to work on reform on domestic violence legislation with the new commissioner which he said Ms Carroll had already started.

He said it was important to acknowledge Ms Carroll in her career spanning more than 40 years.

“One thing I do know, these jobs are very challenging, they take over your entire life and on the positive for Katarina, her husband and her two children are going to get their mum back and she will be able to spend time with her family.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Police Minister Mark Ryan. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Police Minister Mark Ryan said Ms Carroll has been an outstanding commissioner.

“You don’t just end up the commissioner of police by chance, you get there through hard work, distinction, through selfless service,” Mr Ryan said.

“One of her most remarkable characteristics is her care and her compassion for her workforce and the broader Queensland community.

“Katarina Carroll has excelled and distinguished herself in the role. I’m extremely grateful for her service, and I know the many Queenslanders I speak to are grateful and complimentary of her service.”

Mr Ryan said he was “very sad” about Ms Carroll’s resignation.

“You have got a distinguished leader who has dedicated her entire life to serving Queensland,” he said.

“I have always supported Commissioner Carroll.”