100 police suspended over Covid-19 vaccine mandate

The Queensland Police Service says 100 police officers and 71 QPS staff members have been suspended after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Queensland Police Service says 100 police officers and 71 staff members have been suspended after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

A police spokeswoman said 11 police officers and seven staff members who had been suspended have since complied with the direction and had their suspension revoked.

But the number of officers and staff who have resigned is unknown, other than the spokeswoman saying there has been “no significant change in the recent attrition rate”.
“Employees who refuse to follow the Commissioner’s direction will be suspended from duty with pay initially,” the spokeswoman said.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll pictured addressing the media outside a pop up vaccination clinic at Roma Street station, Brisbane 21st of December 2021. (Image/Josh Woning)

Commissioner Katarina Carroll has ordered officers to have their double jab by December 17 and a booster no more than one month after eligibility in accordance with ATAGI advice.

In September she wrote to officers and told them the QPS had more than two million contacts with the community every year.

“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.

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.

Originally published as 100 police suspended over Covid-19 vaccine mandate