Inquiry reporting time frame extended following shocking evidence

The reporting time frame for the police domestic violence inquiry has been extended after a significant response to the shocking evidence provided.

The Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence has extended its reporting deadline to November 14.

Commissioner Judge Deborah Richards requested the extension from October 4 following the significant response to the evidence provided by Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll at a hearing of the commission of inquiry on August 18, 2022.

At the hearing, Ms Carroll agreed that there are significant cultural issues, relating to sexism, misogyny and racism, within the QPS.

The inquiry on that day heard explosive testimony that Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor and another senior officer, Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder, made inappropriate comments at separate leadership conferences.

Mr Taylor is alleged to have referred to a gynaecologist friend as a “vagina whisperer” during a formal speech at a conference earlier this year.

Chief Supt Rohweder, at another conference, allegedly called out “did she shut her legs on you”, after the MC joked about a “rough promotional process” while referring to a cut on his face.

Following that evidence, the commission was contacted by a number of members of the QPS about those issues and on August 22, the commission reopened its call for submissions.

Since the call for submissions was reopened, more than 130 written submissions and several provided via phone have been received by the commission.