Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll expresses disappointment in standing down of Arron Ottaway

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says she’s disappointed in how an officer’s standing down has been handled as talks with the union to resolve the issue begin.

Stood-down cop Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway out jogging on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

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Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has revealed she was disappointed in how the issue against a stood down Gold Coast officer was handled, while resolution talks with the union have begun.

Ms Carroll, who had been under pressure to reinstate Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway, indicated that there was more to the complaint that what was available publicly.

The veteran frontline officer was stood down after a claim that he helped catch armed offenders by authorising officers to ram a stolen car on the Gold Coast on February 1.

Union officials and the Queensland Police Service have begun talks in a bid to resolve issues relatingto Sgt Ottaway after he tried to stop an alleged gang of notorious youth offenders on a dangerous crime spree.

Ms Carroll expressed disappointment at how the issue had been handled.

“The matter has to be investigated whichever way you look at it because when serious complaints come to us, that is the case,” she said.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says she is disappointed at the way the issue around stood down officer Sgt Arron Ottaway was handled. Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Commissioner Carroll also said it was an “extraordinarily difficult balance” between safety considerations and support among the community for officers to be allowed to ram stolen cars.

“We brought in the pursuit policy because many innocent people died as a result of police pursuits. So it is a restrictive policy,” she said.

“What has been extraordinarily successful is our aerial assets and the support of aerial assets with our tyre deflation devices.

“Less serious pursuits, capturing more offenders, with a more secure environment. This is the reason why we have these policies.”

It’s the second time Sgt Ottaway has been stood down over a pursuit – he was placed on desk duties last year following an investigation into another ramming incident involving youths in a stolen car.

No disciplinary action has been taken against Sen-Sgt Ottaway over that matter.

Stood-down cop Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway out jogging on the Gold Coast after facing disciplinary action over a police pursuit. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The senior Gold Coast police officer was seen for the first time on Wednesday, going for a run.

The suspension of the 32-year career cop has outraged the police union, a former top cop and rank-and-file Coast officers who have launched a “#FreeOtters” campaign to get him back on the beat.

Meanwhile, a petition demanding “fair treatment” for Sen-Sgt Ottaway has been launched, attracting more than 700 signatures in hours.

Many of those who have signed the change.org petition are serving Gold Coast police, sources say.

“Join us to support Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway in his pursuit of justice and fair treatment within the South Eastern Police Region,” the petition reads.

“Despite his commendable efforts in coordinating the apprehension of serious criminals, Senior Sergeant Ottaway has faced unjust repercussions from senior management. His dedication to keeping our community safe should be celebrated, yet he finds himself unjustly sidelined from operational duty.

“President of the Queensland Police Union, Ian Leavers, rightfully points out the concerning disconnect between senior management and frontline police. It’s disheartening to witness such a lack of support for officers like Ottaway who put their lives on the line to maintain public safety.

“Former Gold Coast police chief, Jim Keogh, speaks highly of Ottaway’s competence and dedication to community safety. Ottaway’s frustration with repeat offenders roaming the streets reflects a broader issue within the system.

“It’s imperative that officers like Ottaway are empowered to carry out their duties effectively, without fear of reprisal.

“Join us in demanding fair treatment for Snr-Sgt Arron Ottaway. Let’s ensure that those who serve and protect our communities are supported and respected for their invaluable contributions.

“Sign this petition and let’s stand with Snr-Sgt Ottaway and advocate for a system that values and uplifts its frontline heroes.”

The Queensland Police Union confirmed on Wednesday they were attempting to resolve the stand-down with the police service.

“Members of the QPU legal team are currently liaising with the QPS with the intent of resolving issues regarding the stand down for Senior Sergeant Ottaway,” QPU president Ian Leavers said.

“The Queensland community expects police to protect them and their property. The QPU believes a police officer should not be sidelined for doing their duty.”

The union has written to Ms Carroll asking her to intervene.

Police sources have revealed that the pursuit over which Sen-Sgt Ottaway was stood down involved about six high-risk youth offenders as young as 15 who were allegedly involved in a protracted crime rampage including an attempted knifepoint carjacking.

It comes as a senior frontline officer told how juvenile crooks were using video games such as Grand Theft Auto to learn how to steal cars and evade cops in real life and are sharing strategies with other youths.

Stood-down cop Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway out jogging on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“They’re basically being trained into how to avoid and evade us and get away from us”, he said.

“These kids are getting smarter and smarter – they’re driving like lunatics and they know we’re not allowed to chase them at speed.”

Sources said the youths involved in the pursuit that led to Sen-Sgt Ottaway being stood down were all high-risk offenders known to police.

They allegedly stole an Audi 5 and a VW Arteon and drove the vehicles to Mermaid Waters, where they allegedly tried to carjack another resident at knifepoint.

The two cars were then tracked by police, with one officer nearly run down by the Audi and the VW driving through roadworks and on the wrong side of the road as multiple witnesses rang triple-0.

Police rammed into the Arteon, after Sen-Sgt Ottaway deployed stingers, and arrested the alleged offenders.

Police sources said a senior officer had told Sen-Sgt Ottaway after the pursuit that he had done a “good job”.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said Sen-Sgt Ottaway should be receiving a commendation for apprehending serious criminals but “instead the police hierarchy are standing him down from operational duty”.

The standing-down of Sgt Ottaway has caused outrage in the Gold Coast Police District. Officers have started a #FreeOtters campaign, printing off flyers and hanging them in lunchrooms at stations.

One officer said: “He has stood up for our mental health, the stresses we’re under and tells (management) we can’t cope. Otto is the only DDO (district duty officer) that will let us do our job. He lets us pursue kids in stolen cars when it’s safe.”

Originally published as Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll expresses disappointment in standing down of Arron Ottaway