Queensland Police Service suspends officers over their Covid-19 vax refusal

The Queensland Police Service has suspended scores of officers over their refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine, new figures show, but there may be more who have resigned over their vaccination stances.

THE Queensland Police Service has suspended 92 police officers over their refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine, new figures show.

But the number of resignations is unknown because officers are not made to provide reasons for why they have quit.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll told her staff they needed to have their first vaccine by October 5 and their second dose before January 24.

The workforce of more than 12,000 officers were told they must provide proof to their superiors.

There were exemptions available for medical, religious or exceptional circumstances.

Ms Carroll told staff the Delta variant of the virus meant people were in a vulnerable situation and she had a duty to protect both her officers and the public. 

“From 5 October 2021, an employee who refuses to follow the direction will be immediately suspended from duty with pay,” Ms Carroll wrote before the mandate. 

“Where an employee is suspended from duty with pay, a notice to show cause process will be commenced in which an employee will be provided with seven (7) days to state why suspension without pay should not be implemented.”

Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture David Clark

Ms Carroll said police were now planning for “what may be a worst-case scenario when the country re-opens”. 

She said Covid-19 was the leading cause of police officer deaths in the United States in the last 18 months. 

“In the New York Police Department alone, they have had to deal with over 11,000 positive cases and 55 deaths, which has significantly impacted their operational capacity and capability,” Ms Carroll said. 

 “In the United Kingdom, almost 90 police officers have died of COVID-19, with the highest proportion of deaths occurring in those on the frontline. 
“I know these statistics are confronting, and I extend my sincerest sympathies to all police and families worldwide affected by these tragedies. But we would be doing a disservice to those fallen members by not learning from their circumstances.”

Ms Carroll said police officers were more exposed to the risk of Covid-19 than most occupations as they were on the frontline.

“Recent modelling indicates the QPS has over 2 million contacts with the community annually,” she said. 

“These interactions are often conducted in uncontrolled and sometimes volatile circumstances that routinely involve close proximity to members of the public, which further increases our risk of exposure. As such, I have a duty to protect both our employees and the broader community. 
“As the medical specialists remind us about the Delta variant, it is so contagious that when you share air with someone, there is risk of contracting Covid. The vaccine is not just about protecting you, it is also about protecting your co-workers, your community, your friends and loved ones. 

“Just this week, the NSW government revealed 89 per cent of people who have died from COVID-19 since March were either unvaccinated or had only received one dose.”

Officers can apply for exemptions for medical, religious or exceptional circumstances and provide documentation which will be considered by a vaccination exemption committee which has been established. 

A medical exemption must include a report from a medical practitioner or specialist outlining the condition and medical reasons the officer has and why it makes it unsafe for the employee to receive the jab.

If it is for a religious reason they must include the teachings of the religion which prevent vaccination and confirm they are a current member or adherent of those religious teachings. 

Assistant Commissioners or executive directors will review exemption applications before deciding whether to refer it to the vaccination committee.