Police commissioner promises investigation over ‘defamatory’ social media comments

A Facebook page on which rogue cops criticised the government’s response to the death of senior constable David Masters has been “paused” a day after the Police Commissioner unleashed on the offensive social media behaviour.

A Facebook page on which rogue cops criticised the level of support for fallen police officer David Masters has been “paused”.

It comes after Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll on Monday unleashed on rogue officers making offensive social media comments about fellow officers and members of parliament, launching an investigation into the “deeply concerning, nasty and defamatory” material.

In a stern memo to troops, the commissioner said she “must investigate” the inappropriate content on external social media pages linked to current and former Queensland Police Service members.

One of the Facebook groups is understood to be Defend the Blue – a private group for police officers who often use it to express frustrations with the government or the service hierarchy.

An administrator of one of the groups said he was shutting down the page Defend The Blue.

“I send this message to all members of this group,” he wrote.

“It has been brought to my attention that there may of been (sic) some comments made of late about the handling and the government’s level of support for the fallen brother Dave Masters.

“Some comments could or may not comply with the service’s code of conduct.

“With the current hours working under the covid response, and other full time police duties, I as an administrator for the group have not had the chance to review all comments made by members in the group.”

He then said he planned to shut the page down.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has sent a memo to officers warning there will be an investigation over ‘defamatory’ social media comments. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

On Monday, Ms Carroll wrote: “The content brought to my attention is incredibly concerning, disappointing and definitely does not reflect the values of our organisation or the majority of our people.

“Due to the nature and content of the posts, I must investigate and take any action appropriate to cease the continued publication of this highly inappropriate and offensive material.”

Ms Carroll warned of the risks of posting information online which could be perceived or misconstrued as information from an official source or sanctioned by the QPS.

“The comments circulating about fellow officers and members of parliament on some so called ‘closed’ social media groups are deeply concerning, nasty, defamatory, and quite frankly beggars belief,” she wrote.

“There are many of you who are ‘passive’ members of these groups and I would ask you to reconsider your membership as your tacit support gives them a sense of legitimacy.

“There are numerous instances where unprofessional social media comments have resulted in the suspension or dismissal from employment.

“One notable example relates to a senior member of an Australian law enforcement agency who was stood down and later resigned after using an alias on social media to make coarse and crude comments.”

Ms Carroll said it was a reminder that the entire service could face reputational harm due to the “actions of some individuals”.

“The QPS policy covering personal use of social media by its members is being revised with a view to strengthening advice to all members,” she wrote.

“The revised policy will further highlight the risks associated with using social media and ensure the expectations of the service and the community we serve are clearly understood and met.

A snippet from the Defend the Blue Facebook page.

“We are a great organisation which works hard to maintain and enhance our reputation, unfortunately, a small number of people can cause a significant amount of harm that can taint us all.”

Ms Carroll said she was aware of the identity of the group’s administrator and confirmed an Ethical Standards Command investigation was underway into its activities.

“I sent an email out yesterday really highlighting what I believe is unacceptable behaviour on an external Facebook (group),” she said.

“And the reason why I sent it out yesterday is because in recent times some of that unacceptable behaviour has been escalating.

“There’s a minority who say and do very unacceptable things - there’s racist comments,

there’s homophobic comments - and those are not in line with our values or the expectations of the community.”

She said while she understood the group had been formed with “good intent”, there was a “minority” of people posting unacceptable material.

She said of the 3600 group members, about 1700 were current or former Queensland police officers.

“I expect a professional organisation to serve their community well,” Ms Carroll said.

“That site, its administrators and some of the people on there and the pseudonyms they use, will be investigated and if disciplinary action needs to be taken, it will be taken.

“I do have knowledge who the admin of that group is. Ethical Standards is doing the investigation and I expect that in the not too distant future that people will be spoken to.”

She said recent posts she had personally seen were, in her opinion, “defamatory” and the content “beggars belief”.

“There’s people that have come forward, complaints have been made particularly in recent days because of some of the escalating comments,” she said.

“It is disappointing. I think that the public expect more of us as an organisation.

“But - and I made sure in my email - that I spoke to a minority of people that are doing this but unfortunately what happens sometimes is you’ll be tainted by that same brush.”