Top cop resigns, other Coast leaders pushed to stand down as officers in revolt
Queensland’s top cop has quit as Gold Coast police station bosses say they cannot fill rosters and their officers are posting memes showing the city ‘burning’.
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Queensland’s top cop has quit as Gold Coast police station bosses say they cannot fill rosters and their officers are posting memes showing the city “burning”.
Under-fire Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll announced on Tuesday morning she won’t extend her contract.
Sources said she was expected to resign after a turbulent week for Gold Coast cops. The fallout from her decision could also lead to leadership changes on the Coast.
Ms Carroll indicated after speaking to Police Minister Mark Ryan that she had brought this decision forward by two weeks. Her contract was due to end in July. Her last day in the job will be March 1.
“I’ve had candid conversations with my husband, with my children, who have been unbelievably supportive, every step of the way,” she said.
“I made this decision – and was going to have the discussion about not renewing my contract with the minister, in about two weeks’ time, but because of the heightened speculation and commentary, I brought these discussions forward.”
She later added: “I didn’t want the distraction for the QPS.”
Ms Carroll said she had been “a visible leader” who had worked on the frontline and thanked the government “for putting their trust in me” in leading “an extradinary organisation”.
Premier Steven Miles said Ms Carroll had led with distinction and undertaking signficant reforms.
While Mr Ryan said she had served with “honour and distinction”.
Her decision to walk away follows crisis talks held on the Gold Coast between senior cops on Monday after Bulletin revelations of an internal revolt.
The unrest in the ranks was a result of a decision by top brass to stand down respected Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway over claims he authorised officers to ram a stolen car driven by an armed offender at Mermaid Waters on February 1.
In stunning developments overnight, the Bulletin has been told:
* Officers are sharing memes across stations including one with a headline “everything is great” with the city burning in the background.
* The Runaway Bay station is struggling to fill its roster with only half the staff available due to sick leave.
* Southport police station in the CBD is being described as “ground zero” as cops struggle to attend youth vandalism in a shopping centre.
* Rank and file cops say they want to stage a vote of no confidence in leadership but the union is blocking them.
* Former top cop Jim Keogh concedes Commissioner Carroll is the scapegoat as the government fails to introduce tough enough laws to stop youth crime.
Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge met with senior officers at Pimpama station on Monday and later denied the catch-up was for crisis talks saying it was “great opportunity” to discuss issues.
The attempt to hose down a rumblings of a revolt in the ranks backfired, according to police sources.
Memes began circulating and being hung in lunch rooms in protest, joking “this is fine” but they took aim at several Gold Coast senior managers.
Several Gold Coast police union delegates say their attempts to hold a vote of no confidence in the leadership on the Gold Coast have been blocked by QPU head office.
A spokesperson for the QPU said it had not been made aware of the members request.
“If there truly is no issue, do the democratic thing and let us vote,” a police source said.
“The higher ups might back management but let’s see if the members do. Let us have a vote over whether troops have confidence in our Chief Superintendent and his team.
“They can put this to bed by letting us have a say, or will they avoid it because they know what the answer will mean.
“Our union (QPU) needs to pick a side, are you with the officers - or are you with the pen pushers.”
Southport MP Rob Molhoek said the crisis was first predicted a year ago when the Bulletin filed a special report on whistleblowers showing how rosters were half strength.
“Saw this coming, repeated calls on the government to address shortages at Southport,” he said.
Mr Molhoek accused Mr Ryan of failing to answers his questions to the Parliament about police numbers.
The Southport MP was visiting concerned retailers at the Southport Park Shopping Centre overnight after the windows to their shops were smashed.
“Security know the kids that did this, they are regular visitors to the centre, they even know where they live, but our overwhelmed police are stretched to thin to prioritise this over their many other daily challenges and priorities,” Mr Molhoek said.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor described Southport station as “ground zero” as residents in his electorate faced increasing crime.
“Our police have never been under more pressure. Their frustrations are genuine and understandable,” he said.
“The latest data shows there’s a net 322 fewer police on the beat across Queensland compared to 18 months ago.
“That means stations servicing my community like Southport are struggling to keep up with demand because their officers are getting overwhelmed on every shift.
“Police need a government who backs them and who will drive a better culture and follow through with delivering the right resources and stronger laws they’ve been calling for.”
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