New police unit to investigate bullying, harassment within ranks

A crack team of cops has been set up to take down predators and bullies from within Queensland police’s own ranks.

A CRACK team of cops has been set up to take down predators and bullies inside Queensland police ranks.

The recently formed unit, dubbed Juniper, is separate to the QPS internal disciplinary unit, Ethical Standards Command, and has been given the power to investigate current and historical sexual harassment and bullying inside the service, The Sunday Mail can reveal.

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The 13-person specialist unit, which includes police, unsworn officers, lawyers and counsellors, has also been tasked to bring cultural change within the service from a secret office offsite from police headquarters.

Police sources said Juniper’s first investigation was into Logan detective Senior Sergeant Scott Furlong, who has been accused of sexually harassing female officers.

It was last week revealed the detective, who has been involved in some of the state’s most high-profile murder cases, was under investigation after several colleagues made complaints about his behaviour.

Logan top cop Scott Furlong is under investigation for alleged harassment.

A police source said his computer had been seized as part of Juniper’s investigation, and he had been prohibited from having contact with other staff at Logan police station.

It is also understood his office was sealed off as a crime scene for several hours and Luminol spray used in a bid to uncover evidence.

There is no suggestion that any of the allegations could lead to charges being laid.

Sgt Furlong was on Friday stood down from official duty and will perform non-operational duties while the investigation into allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct continues.

Juniper was formed following the Human Rights Commission’s independent review into sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including predatory behaviour, within Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police’s report into cultural change in their ranks.

Both showed high rates of sexual harassment and bullying within the organisations and The Sunday Mail understands the QPS accepted similar problems must exist in Queensland.

The unit will not be overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission, but Juniper can refer criminal complaints to the corruption watchdog.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said workplace surveys had shown there were issues of sexual harassment, predatory behaviour, discrimination and bullying within the service that needed to be addressed.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski is out to change the culture.

He said Juniper was developed after feedback showed many officers did not “trust” ESC and were less likely to make complaints.

“Juniper is a safe place where people can have confidence that if they go to tell their story it will be taken seriously and whatever they wish to happen, it can happen,” Mr Gollschewski said.

He said Juniper was a victim-first response with a restorative approach, and was not a disciplinary unit for officers.

“Sometimes, people just want to tell their story, other times there are instances of criminal conduct,” he said.

“It’s a reality (cultural problems) that is not unique to us.

“The MeToo push has seen people come forward who, for a long time, felt they have been treated in a particular way and had nowhere to go.

“They felt like the system was part of the problem, and we’re saying we recognise this.”

Sen-Sergeant Furlong has stood aside from his previous role as chairman of the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group.

He told colleagues last week he was under investigation.

“The board of directors support this decision,” the group’s chief executive Brett Thompson told The Sunday Mail.

“The allegations relate to Sen-Sergeant Furlong’s employment with Queensland Police Service and not QHVSG.”

Juniper will be a permanent taskforce and will work to address discrimination on the basis of gender, religion and sexuality, as well as harassment and predatory sexual behaviour.

Those who make complaints to the taskforce can also bring up any allegations with the ESC and the disciplinary unit will work closely with Juniper when required.