Katarina Carroll faced ‘open hostility’ as Queensland police commissioner: union
The sacking of a cop over a tactic he used to stop an allegedly stolen car has led to “open hostility” in the force.
The sudden resignation of Queensland’s police commissioner on Tuesday followed weeks of intense public scrutiny and “open hostility” from within her own ranks.
Reports of an internal revolt after a senior officer was stood down this month had heaped media pressure on Katarina Carroll, who announced she was quitting at a snap press conference in Brisbane.
Commissioner Carroll denied she was made a “scapegoat” over the service’s handling of youth crime and criticism stemming from controversial disciplinary action against Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway.
Snr Sgt Ottaway was stood down from duty after he authorised colleagues to ram an allegedly stolen car involved in a pursuit on the Gold Coast on February 1.
Spikes were deployed to stop the Volkswagen that had been tracked since the previous day before a “tactical” move brought the vehicle to a stop after an 18-minute chase.
Under police guidelines in Queensland, manoeuvres that can cause the driver of a pursued vehicle to lose control are prohibited.
Three people, including an 18-year-old man and two boys aged 17 and 15, were charged following the incident that left three police vehicles damaged.
News of Snr Sgt Ottaway’s situation broke just days after the alleged murder of grandmother Vyleen White at a shopping centre in Redbank Plains.
Her death, allegedly at the hands of a teenage boy on bail, ignited uproar about the level of youth crime in the state and stoked sentiment that the justice system had lost control of young offenders.
The decision to discipline the senior officer was slammed by the Queensland Police Union, with president Ian Leavers saying Snr Sgt Ottaway was “doing his job”.
“Stopping vehicles with known criminals, who’ve been committing offences and are on the way to commit further offences, is what policing is all about,” he said.
Mr Leavers said the veteran officer had “tremendous community support”, while colleagues on the Gold Coast reportedly threatened to walk off the job in protest.
An online petition supporting the decorated policeman against “unjust repercussions from senior management” gained more than 4700 signatures.
“Join us in demanding fair treatment for Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway,” it read.
“Let’s ensure that those who serve and protect our communities are supported and respected for their invaluable contributions.”
In a statement, the Queensland Police Service said the matter remained under investigation by its ethical standards command.
“The Police Service Administration Act places a requirement upon all police to comply with a direction given to them by a senior officer,” a spokesperson said.
“An officer may be subject to discipline if they contravene such directions without reasonable excuse.
“Investigations of this nature can be protracted due to the complexities involved in conducting extensive and thorough inquiries.”
Ms Carroll denied the tension brewing within Gold Coast ranks forced her decision to retire but conceded it had brought “heightened speculation” about her position.
The outgoing commissioner stuck by her call to stand Snr Sgt Ottaway down.
“I looked at the tapes and there was very good reason for that,” she said.
“But that doesn’t play into the decision. There is always going to be a conversation with the (police) minister about not extending the contract.
“But what happened obviously with this heightened speculation and chatter, I just want the air to be clear. Because it is about the organisation … doing remarkable work.
“I don’t want the distraction for the QPS.”
Mr Leavers told the Today Show on Wednesday there had been a clear “disconnect” between senior management and frontline officers on the Gold Coast.
“In previous times, I don’t think they would have had the open hostility towards her, and they would have performed their role as they should,” he said.
“I’ve just seen on the Gold Coast over a period of time, they just totally disregard it.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Kev Guteridge this week refuted reports of a “crisis meeting” with Gold Coast officers.
He also denied claims management did not understand the needs of police on the ground.
“We’ve all been young police, we’ve all been operational police … and we know what it’s like to be in those situations,” he said.
“But we also know that these rules have to be followed as well to keep people safe.”
It was the second time Senior Sergeant Ottaway had been disciplined in similar circumstances – last year he was placed on desk duties over a ramming incident.
Ms Carroll told media on Tuesday it would be unfair for her to commit for another three years as the top cop when she was already having conversations with family about stepping down.
She announced her last day would be on March 1.