Queensland Police Service in witch hunt to silence whistleblowers

The Queensland Police Service is on what’s being dubbed a ‘witch hunt’ for a whistleblower responsible for leaking an internal policy document slammed as “dangerous” by both state party leaders.

Police officers are facing the sack and threats of criminal charges as the service probes whistleblowers accused of exposing a directive putting journalists “incompatible with Queensland Police Service values” in a declaration list with criminals and religious extremists.

A veteran Gold Coast police officer was directed to attend Coolangatta Police Station on Thursday morning for a formal interview, it can be revealed.

He’s accused of leaking to the Bulletin a screenshot of training material which appears to force (QPS) staff to disclose out-of-work associations with journalists and the media.

An officer accused of leaking a screenshot of an internal QPS policy, which was slammed as "dangerous" by the Premier David Crisafulli, arrives at Coolangatta station to be formally interview.

Police union sources have provided the Bulletin with a copy of an email to the officer in which allegations are listed.

“It is alleged the suspect member (officer) has released information to the media, Gold Coast Bulletin, on the QPS declarable associations QPS training product,” Detective Senior Sergeant Barbara Briggs from the Ethical Standards Command emails the accused officer.

“This allegation relates to the disclosure of information contained in an article which appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin published on 10 October 2024.

“A second article was further published on 11 October 2024 in relation to the same disclosure of information.”

The leaked screenshot of the QPS Declarable Associations Policy training module.

The leaked screenshot from the QPS training module showed examples of declarable associations listed for staff:

• “A person suspected of being, or known to be engaged in criminal activity,” the video states;
  
• “A person who has a criminal history;
  
• “A person who is a member of a group or organisation involved in criminal activity;
  
• “A person, group or organisation with extreme political, social or religious views.
  
• “A person associated with any media outlet/journalist where the association is incompatible with QPS values.”

Detectives from the Queensland Police Service Ethical Standards Command leave Coolangatta station after a two hour interview with an officer suspected of leaking information to the media.

The training material had a large image of journalists and media staff at a press conference.

It was widely condemned by both side of politics with then-Opposition leader David Crisafulli labelling it “dangerous” and “chilling” and then-Premier Steven Miles calling it “unacceptable”. Both said journalists should not be included in the directive.

Despite the backlash and a commitment at the time by the Commissioner Steve Gollschewski for a review of it, the declarable associations policy remains unchanged five months on, police union sources claim.

“It is unconscionable our service and Commissioner are using taxpayers money to go on a witch hunt and claim a scalp because they’re embarrassed,” the senior union official said.

“Our members thought we’d come a long way since the Fitzgerald era - the service has made it clear with this draconian action that it still won’t accept exposure to criticism.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Barbara Briggs refused to answer questions outside Coolangatta station on Thursday morning.

The Bulletin asked Police Minister Dan Purdie if he was aware of the investigation into whistleblowers and whether he believed action should be taken against those accused of leaking.

His spokeswoman said: “The Minister does not comment on internal police investigations by the Ethical Standards Command. The QPS Declarable Associations Policy has been amended.”

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski was contacted for comment but didn’t respond by deadline.

In a statement a QPS spokesman said: “This matter is currently under investigation by Ethical Standards Command and as such, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment at this time. The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has completed a review into the Declarable Associations policy. The reference to media as an example of a declarable association has been removed, and internal processes have been updated to make the policy more fit for purpose and reflective of QPS’ engagement with media stakeholders.”
However, an updated screenshot of the Declarable Associations Policy obtain via police sources late on Thursday shows the training material has not been updated.

A screenshot of the declarable associations policy training module obtained by the Bulletin late on Thursday.

Union sources say QPS has accused the same officer of leaking information in another article by this masthead revealing an officer who allegedly told a colleague “I will cut your throat and leave you bleeding” was never stood down or properly investigated over the threat.

Senior Sergeant Briggs refused to answer questions over the investigation into whistleblowers when questioned by the Bulletin outside Coolangatta station on Thursday.

“I’m really sorry but if you have any queries you should go to police media, thanks,” she said.

Police Commissioner Gollschewski was contacted for comment but didn’t respond by deadline.