New top cop role to focus on First Nations issues

The Queensland Police Service has advertised for an Assistant Commissioner to solely focus on First Nations issues.

The Queensland Police Service has advertised for an Assistant Commissioner to solely focus on First Nations issues for the first time in history.

In an email to officers this week, Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was announcing the position in support of last year’s Commission of Inquiry into Police Responses to Domestic and Family Violence. The job will oversee the existing First Nations Unit.

“In support of last year’s Commission of Inquiry recommendations and a subsequent government announcement, I am pleased to announce the creation of an Assistant Commissioner to solely focus on First Nations … (and) improve relationships with First Nations communities,” Ms Carroll wrote.

An internal notice said the newly created role had a “genuine occupational requirement for the incumbent to be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person”.

Last year’s inquiry heard evidence that very few officers within the QPS identified as First Nations people, particularly at senior levels.

“Material considered by the Commission suggests there are presently six officers at the rank of Inspector, and none above,” a report published after said.

Ms Carroll faced intense questioning of the service at the inquiry and agreed there were issues relating to sexism, misogyny and racism.

The inquiry heard of incidents where police officers had referred to Indigenous people as “black c…”, “stupid black c…” and “lazy black c…”.

Other incidents included police officers being called “c. n lovers” by colleagues and one case where an officer said “we should just napalm Aurukun”.

Another said: “We should sack all the PLOs (police liaison officers) and put the money into more police.”

Others complained that police liaison officers “stink out” patrol cars.

“It has been brought to my attention obviously and it’s absolutely disgusting,” Ms Carroll said.

The inquiry heard the service had established a First Nations reference group with the purpose of advising Ms Carroll on reform and decision making around First Nations issues.

She said the service approached esteemed community members and asked them to be part of the group on an unpaid basis.

The inquiry heard the group was upset Ms Carroll did not meet with them when they asked.

The group was also promised a meeting with the executive leadership team by February last year, as well as a public announcement of their existence at the same time.

The inquiry heard neither of those things happened.

The position is advertised in the national media on Saturday.