Qld DV inquiry told of police ‘boys’ club’ working against women

A former Queensland police officer has given explosive evidence of a “boys’ club” in the ranks disinterested in, and even actively working against, domestic violence complaints.

A veteran former cop has told of a “boys’ club” within the Queensland Police Service that has allegedly turned a blind eye to shocking domestic violence incidents, including a woman who was dragged naked and screaming through a house by her hair.

In explosive evidence to the police domestic violence inquiry, the former Gold Coast officer said even women employed by the QPS had had their own domestic violence and sex assault complaints swept under the carpet and been victimised by male colleagues.

He claimed police were “forced to cut corners every day” when it came to investigating domestic violence, adding: “I don’t believe the QPS is truly invested in protecting women.”

The allegations are contained in a 14-page statement to the Commission of Inquiry into Police Responses to Domestic and Family Violence by former senior constable and police prosecutor James Treanor.

Mr Treanor, who is now a criminal lawyer, medically retired from the QPS last year after a 14-year career that ended acrimoniously when he was stood down and charged over a dramatic meltdown at a police Black Dog mental health breakfast.

The public nuisance charge was dropped after he agreed to a formal caution over the incident, during which he called a police officer “a f--king coward”.

Police prosecutor turned criminal lawyer James Treanor

He had launched a separate bullying action against the QPS in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

In his statement to the inquiry, Mr Treanor said officers were not supported to deal with domestic violence and there was a lack of proper training.

He said officers avoided responding to domestic violence call-outs because they risked constant criticism from bosses and faced “enormous pressure” to finish jobs, forcing them to “cut corners to avoid the wrath or scrutiny of their superiors”.

Mr Treanor cited several examples of what he told the inquiry were “appalling” police responses to domestic violence.

They included one in July last year where a woman attended Coomera police station on the Gold Coast after being violently assaulted by her ex-partner.

“The female victim played a recording to police where she was screaming and being dragged through the house naked by her hair,” he said in his statement.

“The recording is graphic and confronting.

“The ex-partner (had) sent her text messages and threatened to turn up at her sporting events.

“He sent her a text message in large font stating ‘Let the games begin’.”

But Mr Treanor said police called the woman’s ex-partner, refused to make a domestic violence order and sent the victim away.

The inquiry has heard of toxic culture at police stations.

The inquiry was told the woman, “in a state of fear and distress”, went to solicitors who were “shocked and appalled” at the police inaction and helped her prepare an urgent private domestic violence application.

Mr Treanor said the magistrate listened to the recording for seconds before issuing a temporary protection order with every available condition to protect the woman.

Incredibly, the inquiry was told, police then issued a domestic violence order naming the ex-partner as the aggrieved after he lodged a complaint.

Mr Treanor also highlighted the case of a former police prosecutor who lodged a formal complaint about domestic violence allegedly committed by her officer partner.

But a senior officer who worked with the partner at a Gold Coast police station determined the complaint was unfounded.

Despite a temporary protection order being later issued by a court and then breached, the alleged offender was promoted.

Mr Treanor said that while serving as an officer, he was stymied and chastised for making domestic violence investigations.

The inquiry was told that on one occasion, a shift sergeant had yelled at him, “It’s not a f--king DV,” and threatened disciplinary action.

Mr Treanor said there was a “boys’ club” of officers who misused disciplinary powers to destroy people they view as adversaries or who made complaints against them.

Originally published as Qld DV inquiry told of police ‘boys’ club’ working against women