Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll ‘hoping to survive’ latest ‘abhorrent’ staff controversy

Queensland’s Police Commissioner has defended her role in the top job following a number of controversial revelations over the conduct of officers in the police force, adding the actions of some has been “abhorrent”.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says she has no plans to step down, has not offered her resignation and is “hoping to survive” the release of what is expected to be a scathing commission of inquiry report.

And Police Minister Mark Ryan refused to reveal when the report would be made public, other than to say it will “go to cabinet” before being released.

The report from the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence was handed to the government on Monday following five months of evidence examining issues of sexism, racism and misogyny within the service.

Minister for Police, Mark Ryan. Picture: Liam Kidston

The inquiry heard the police disciplinary process had been misused to avoid properly punishing serial sexual harassers and bullies and that the much-touted DV Command had not been adequately staffed.

The report is understood to be critical of Ms Carroll’s leadership, as well as the evidence she gave to the inquiry.

EDITORIAL: Katarina Carroll needs to step up or pass the baton to someone who will

Mr Ryan said he had full confidence in Ms Carroll and that he was yet to read the full document.

“I’m reading it now,” he said.

Asked what he thought of the report so far, he said: “I’m not telling you because I’m reading it now and it will go to cabinet.”

Ms Carroll, who spent several uncomfortable days giving evidence before Commissioner of the Inquiry, Judge Deborah Richards, said she had no plans to step down as police commissioner.

“We’ve always known we’ve had issues and we’ve been really upfront with that,” she said.

“Even that’s tough. We’re upfront.”

Asked if she thought she would survive in her position after the report is considered by the government, Ms Carroll said: “Well, I’m hoping to survive.”

“I actually believe that I’m the person to take this organisation forward,” she said.

“I have had extensive experience in reform and I have commenced extensive reform (within the QPS.

“So that is incredibly important to take that forward.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture: Liam Kidston

She said it was tough taking criticism as the leader of an organisation but “I’ve always been a leader that will accept criticism”.

“I do have the support of the (Police) Minister and I think that’s incredibly important,” Ms Carroll said.

“The Minister knows my history, the Minister knows my past evidence of reform

“The Minister also knows the reform that I’ve done to date.”

Ms Carroll was previously the Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services where she managed widespread reform over misogyny, sexism and cultural issues.

Earlier today, Ms Carroll slammed the latest revelation – a leaked recording from 2019 of watch house staff making racist remarks – saying it was extremely distressing.

Of the racist remarks, Ms Carroll said she was only made aware of the recording a week ago despite whistleblower Steven Marshall expressing concerns over a long period of time.

The leaked recording captured Brisbane Watch house staff laughing as they made racist slurs about “black fellas”, including that people should “beat the f — k out of them and bury them”.

“The stuff that we heard in the watch house is truly abhorrent,” Ms Carroll said.

“It’s tough to stand here and listen to that being said and I know that I have apologised and I apologise again.

“Leadership is upset about it.

“Most of the good people … in my agency are upset about it.

“They can’t fathom how people can speak that way.

“There are officers in my agency … who are so upset about what they’ve heard because they are so passionate about looking after their community.”

Queensland Police Commissioner, Katarina Carroll. Picture: Jerad Williams

She said police have told her it is “difficult” to walk out into the street because of the revelations from the Commission of Inquiry about problems with police culture.

She said she was not aware whether anyone had reached out to Mr Marshall to check on his welfare.

Ms Carroll said the watch house recording needed to be properly investigated before action was taken against those involved.

Asked if she could survive the criticism within the report, Ms Carroll said: “I am hoping to survive. I actually believe that I am the person to take this organisation forward.”

She said she had not offered her resignation to Mr Ryan.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said he met with watch house whistleblower Mr Marshall in early October.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler. Picture: Evan Morgan

He said much of their conversation was private and that Mr Marshall had not been at work for a “very, very long time”.

“I spoke to Mr Marshall for a considerable period of time,” he said.

“I have to be really careful and really respectful of Mr Marshall’s privacy.

“He raised a number of issues he tells me he raised earlier.

“I followed a process.

“I was certainly not aware of those recordings at that point in time. Not aware at all.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan also described the leaked recording as “abhorrent”.

Asked whether members of the Queensland Police Service should be stood down over racist comments, Mr Ryan said “yes”.

He said the behaviour was “abhorrent” and “totally inconsistent” with the values of the QPS.

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said “those who are racist, sexist, misogynistic – you are in the wrong place – you should not be in our organisation,” she said.

Ms Carroll said that the entire QPS workforce is currently involved in cultural capability training.