Disconnected, disgruntled: New top cop’s move to ease frontline tension

New Acting Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has made a low-key visit to the Gold Coast in a bid to soothe tensions between senior officers and frontline cops.

New Acting Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has made a low-key visit to the Gold Coast in a bid to soothe tensions between senior officers and frontline cops on the Glitter Strip.

Mr Gollschewski met with senior and frontline officers at Surfers Paradise police headquarters on Wednesday as one of his first duties since being appointed to temporarily replace Katarina Carroll who resigned as commissioner last month following widespread unrest in police ranks over strains including youth crime and domestic violence.

Mr Gollschewski is understood to have told frontline police that internal disciplinary matters will now be overseen by the Commissioner’s office following outcry over the Ottaway controversy.

He reportedly made the announcement during a snap visit to the Arundel Police Hub where he spoke with staff returning for shift change.

Officers at the station told the Courier Mail the acting commissioner spoke about several operational matters including the domestic violence reforms that are currently underway within the QPS.

Queensland Police Acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Coast has been a hotbed of discontent among rank-and-file police over issues including the standing down of decorated frontline officer Arron Ottaway over a stolen car pursuit involving alleged hardcore teen offenders.

Sen-Sgt Ottaway was stood down last month after allegedly authorising fellow officers to ram one of two stolen cars allegedly involved in a crime rampage.

Ms Carroll had defended the disciplinary action, saying there were “serious allegations” about Sen-Sgt Ottaway that needed to be investigated and standing him down was “definitely the right decision”.

An emotional Commissioner Katarina Carroll being farewelled by current acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Mr Gollschewski, who took over as acting commissioner after Ms Carroll finished her tenure on Friday, said one of his first priorities would be to travel to the Coast to speak with officers.

“I have already arranged to go down there (to the Gold Coast) taking briefs, getting across things, I fully support what Katarina has already said in the media about that,” he said last week, speaking at Ms Carroll’s farewell ceremony.

Stood down Police Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We have plenty more work to do there and I am making it a priority.”

In a lengthy email to staff last week, Gold Coast police acting chief superintendent Peter Miles “extremely disappointing” media leaks from a “small faceless cohort” of disgruntled officers, and launched a passionate defence of senior cops amid claims they were disconnected from the frontline.

It’s understood Mr Gollschewski met separately with senior and frontline police on the Gold Coast to hear them out.

Media were not invited.

Katarina Carroll announces she is standing down as Commissioner, Police Headquarters, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston