Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll issues deadline for officers to get vaccination

Police have been given less than five weeks to get their first vaccine, as Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll sends service wide email with vaccination mandate.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has given her troops an order to get vaccinated, as she issues a tight deadline to all sworn members of the service. 

In an email sent out to all members of the QPS this afternoon, Commissioner Carroll mandated all police officers to have received their first vaccine by October 4.

They must be fully vaccinated against the virus by January 23, 2022.

In the email the police chief wrote: “As the Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service I have obligations to all police officers and staff members and also to the greater Queensland community.

“In the face of this public health emergency, it is critical I meet three of these obligations: 

“I must maintain a safe workplace so police officers and staff members can come to work and be secure in the knowledge that all health and safety requirements are met. 

“I must maintain a workforce that is capable of meeting the statutory requirements to deliver police services to the community of Queensland. 

“I must maintain workplaces and a workforce the community of Queensland is confident does not put them at risk when dealing with members of the Queensland Police Service. It is my intention to meet these three obligations with a fully vaccinated workforce in all QPS workplaces by January 23, 2022. The implementation of this intent is to be achieved over the next five months.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll sent service wide email ordering staff to get vaccinated. Picture David Clark

The Commissioner made clear that if her staff were unable to be vaccinated by that date due to legal exemptions, they must abide by other orders, including wearing a mask in indoor spaces, including the car, while on duty. 

Ms Carroll said the purpose of her direction was to keep police service staff, their families and the community safe. 

“As our police officers undertake their duties across the state during this public health emergency, we must acknowledge the right of our community members to feel safe in their interactions with us,” she said.

“Being vaccinated supports this commitment and will be an important step in providing the community, regardless of their location, the confidence to go about their daily lives.”

Ms Carroll thanked the police unions, as well as members of the QPS for their efforts. 

It’s unclear what ramifications police may face if they disobey the Commissioner’s order.

The Courier-Mail has gone to the QPS for comment to clarify what, if any, discipline may come to any officers who refuse to get vaccinated and do not hold a legal exemption.