Qld PCYC woes: Katarina Carroll backs organisation

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has staunchly defended the PCYC amid claims of bullying and a toxic culture.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has staunchly defended the Police Citizens Youth Club amid an investigation into allegations of bullying, a toxic workplace culture and claims the organisation has lost focus on helping troubled teens as a youth crime crisis grips Queensland.

But a senior government minister said the allegations were “incredibly concerning” as more PCYC insiders came forward to voice concerns.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Tuesday that PCYC Queensland had appointed an independent investigator to probe allegations of bullying and harassment and the actions of a staffer.

Staff at the 73-year-old organisation – of which Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Police Minister Mark Ryan are patrons and Ms Carroll the president – have also hired lawyers to lodge unfair dismissal and bullying claims.

They claim morale is at its “lowest ebb”, staff have left en masse and that PCYC has “lost direction” and seems more focused on making money and cutting costs than helping troubled youth.

PCYC Queensland has strongly rejected “any allegations that it is focused on anything other than helping troubled youth”.

Several former PCYC employees, some long-serving, told The Courier-Mail they too had been bullied and that the organisation had changed focus.

Asked about the situation at a media conference on the Gold Coast, Health Minister and former Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the allegations were “incredibly concerning”.

“But I understand the Police Minister is working through them, and we’ll be doing everything we can to ensure that all staff are free from bullying and harassment,” she said.

“I’m a very strong advocate of ensuring that our workplaces are free from bullying and harassment and sexual harassment.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan

Mr Ryan said the workplace safety of police “is of the utmost importance” and the allegations against the PCYC – where dozens of officers work – were being investigated.

“PCYC is a private independently run entity and therefore any questions about its operations should be directed to PCYC,” he said.

“Speaking generally, all employer organisations have a responsibility to ensure they provide an appropriate workplace.

“And the workplace safety of police, wherever they may be working, is of the utmost importance.

“I understand the allegations raised are being investigated.”

Asked about insiders’ claims that the PCYC had lost focus on helping troubled teens amid the youth crime crisis, Mr Ryan said the PCYC had been helping young people for many years

“Government partners with many organisations, including PCYC, in relation to community safety matters,” he said.

“For example, Project Booyah has delivered extremely good results in terms of mentoring at-risk young people, and has won numerous awards, including a Gold National Community Safety Award from the former federal government.”

Ms Carroll said she was “incredibly proud of the QPS’ longstanding and highly successful partnership with PCYC Queensland”.

“Our police employees attached to PCYC Queensland make a real difference to so many in the community, particularly young people,” she said.

“Inquiries to date indicate a single complaint is being investigated by PCYC Queensland.

“As this matter remains under investigation by PCYC Queensland, it would not be appropriate for the QPS to provide further comment.”