Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler speaks after racist Brisbane watchhouse recordings leaked

An investigation into damning leaked recordings capturing racist slurs and conversations from Brisbane watchhouse staff is underway.

An investigation into damning leaked recordings capturing racist slurs and conversations from Queensland watchhouse staff is underway, according to police.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler spoke to media in Townsville on Monday where he apologised on behalf of the QPS for the “deeply offensive” comments made by Brisbane watchhouse staff.

The recordings, first published by the Guardian Australia, revealed the conversations of multiple personnel, including watchhouse officers, making offensive and racist remarks.

“The conversations we heard on the recordings, which were reported to be from 2019, were sickening and disturbing,” Mr Wheeler said.

“Those beliefs and remarks have no place in society, let alone in a professional workplace where vulnerable people are held in our custody.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler spoke to media in Townsville condemning the 'deeply offensive' comments made by Brisbane Watchhouse staff.

In one recorded conversation an officer is heard to say: “Just get ‘em and beat the f--k out of them and bury them … Mate, no one would know”.

A complaint has been assessed by the Ethical Standards Command, and has been referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

He said reactions by QPS staff to the recordings had been one of “disgust”, and that Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was “absolutely appalled”.

“All these kinds of beliefs – whether they’re real beliefs or they’re perceived beliefs, they should not be in our organisation,” he said.

As for whether the revelations would hinder police recruitment – especially of women or people from diverse backgrounds – Mr Wheeler said recruitment was currently challenging “across all jurisdictions”.

“These revelations and this information that comes out publicly, of course it’s not helpful, but what I would say to people considering joining the QPS, (is) that information you’ve heard publicly, and the allegations around those comments, does not reflect the broader QPS,” he said.

The whistleblower watchhouse officer was said to no longer be working within that workplace.

“For privacy reasons I cant go into the details of that officer, only to say the officer is not in the workplace, but it doesn’t relate to the providing of this information,” Mr Wheeler said.

When asked if there was an underlying culture problem within the QPS, Mr Wheeler said they had acknowledged instances of “appalling pockets” within the service.

“I think all organisations need to work on their culture,” he said.

As for what changes would be made in the aftermath of the leaked recordings, Mr Wheeler said he wouldn’t “pre-empt” the report outcome of the Commission of Inquiry, but encouraged staff to report this type of behaviour.

He said he looked forward to receiving the recommendations and working through recommendations “very, very exhaustively”.

“We need to send a really clear message: this behaviour is not tolerated,” he said.

Originally published as Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler speaks after racist Brisbane watchhouse recordings leaked