High-ranking police say they are “losing confidence” in QPS senior leadership

Senior police officers have told Commissioner Katarina Carroll they are ‘losing confidence in the QPS senior leadership’ over its transfer system where officers are left stranded in remote or unwanted posts.

High-ranking police have told Commissioner Katarina Carroll they are “losing confidence in the QPS senior leadership” over its transfer and promotions system with officers left stranded in remote or unwanted posts.

Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union president Dan Bragg has asked QPS to urgently resolve issues over a new transfer system, warning the Commissioner “the consequences of not doing so, in our view, are significant”.

Mr Bragg, who flagged an industrial relations dispute, said senior officers had moved to positions “in good faith” under the belief that previously established transfer practices would be respected.

But he said due to a Supreme Court ruling that found a cohort of previous promotions were unlawful, the service was changing its policy.

Inspector Daniel Bragg (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

Mr Bragg said officers could previously have a lateral transfer, effectively allowing officers of the same rank to move to another same-ranked post around the state.

But he said that would be scrapped and officers would have to apply for positions and compete against potentially hundreds of applicants.

For instance, an inspector could be up against 500 senior sergeants applying for the job under the new policy.

He said his members would be discriminated against as the police service seeks to “disregard the lateral transfer process out of hand and embark on a new process”.

The union represents about 300 officers ranked Inspector to Chief Superintendent.

“A further unfortunate and alarming consequence of these actions by the QPS Senior Executive is a significant exacerbation of a steadily rising undercurrent, whereby our members are losing confidence in the QPS senior leadership,” Mr Bragg wrote to Ms Carroll.

“Given the seriousness of the lateral transfer issue for our members and the impact on these decisions on the operations of the QPS and the Queensland community, the QPCOUE is therefore progressing action that will involve the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

“Additionally, it is now the intention of the QPCOUE to pause any future engagement in all QPS committees and working parties until meaningful dialogue can be recommenced in finding a satisfactory solution to the lateral transfer issue.”

A Supreme Court justice last year found the process used to appoint a cohort of police officers to inspector positions was unlawful and not “fair and equitable”.

A review of 36 senior appointments – including inspectors, superintendents and chief superintendents – had recommended the appointments be lapsed due to a flawed recruitment process.

But the Commissioner decided against implementing any changes.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

A judicial review by Sen Sgt Greg Lewis who was one of the unsuccessful applicants for inspector resulted in Justice David Boddice finding the process was not in accordance with the Act and the appointments were affected by an “error of law”.

There was no request to set aside appointments.

The Commissioned Officers Union is seeking to have a form of grace period or transition to the new system for lateral transfers, to allow senior officers to move.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the judicial review established all positions within the service were to be individually determined on merit.

“This decision impacted on the process of lateral transfers for commissioned officers, with the finding rendering the current process invalid under law,” the spokesman said.

“As the law currently operates, the scope of laterally transferring commissioned officers is limited.

“While options to address the issues identified by the review were explored, it was found there was neither a temporary nor permanent solution under the current circumstances.

“An appropriate forum to further examine these issues will be the upcoming Enterprise Bargaining negotiations.”

The spokesman said a new application process for Inspectors up to Chief Superintendent had been proposed.

“These changes will ensure merit-based selection processes for Sergeant through to Chief Superintendent positions are consistent, with relevant essential selection criteria applicable to each rank,” the spokesman said.

“Throughout this process the QPS is continuing to consult with the two police unions on these changes.”

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the recent decision for Sen Sgt Greg Lewis “clearly articulates the lawful process for the police promotions system”.

“The Police Commissioner has now agreed with the QPU that she will ensure the police promotions process follows the law,” he said.

“It is disappointing for the QPU that some police do not want to abide by the Lewis decision and would rather see outdated ‘customs and practices’ and ‘under the table deals’ continue contrary to the Supreme Court decision.”

Originally published as High-ranking police say they are “losing confidence” in QPS senior leadership