PCYC has lost its way, says former Qld top cop Jim Keogh

A former top cop and Police Citizens Youth Club committee member says the organisation is no longer doing the work it once did to help combat youth crime.

Jim Keogh has trained jockeys since retiring from the police service.

A former top cop and Police Citizens Youth Club committee member believes the PCYC has lost its way and is no longer doing the work it once did to help combat youth crime.

Ex-Gold Coast police superintendent Jim Keogh, who spent years working with the Broadbeach PCYC and helped pioneer a program to mentor at-risk kids expelled from school, said the organisation today seemed more about corporate gain than helping troubled youth.

The organisation strongly refutes Mr Keogh’s statements, saying its focus remains on helping troubled youth, with Police Commissioner and PCYC president Katarina Carroll also defending the organisation’s ethos.

He was speaking amid turmoil at PCYC Queensland where external investigators have been called in to probe allegations of bullying, harassment and a toxic workplace culture.

“On the information provided currently, it seems that they’ve lost their way and more importantly, they’ve lost focus,” said Mr Keogh, who headed crack bikie-busting taskforce the Rapid Action Patrol before he retired in 2017 after 37 years with the police service.

“The PCYC is designed to connect with young people at grassroots and street level – it’s not about corporate gain and capital growth.

“We’re facing unprecedented times with our crime rates with youth at the moment, and the disconnect between mainstream society and the youth is glaringly obvious.”

In 2010, Mr Keogh and current Queensland police superintendent Shane Holmes helped establish an Australia-first program at Broadbeach PCYC where teens suspended or expelled from Gold Coast high schools were given special lessons in life skills, physical fitness and academic studies with the help of local teachers, police and sports stars.

“That was only made possible by volunteers, local community and staff employed at ground level at the local PCYC,” Mr Keogh said.

Jim Keogh when a police superintendent

“They were the cornerstone … of getting these kids off the street and trying to divert them from a potential life of crime.

“It had nothing to do with corporate advancement.”

Mr Keogh, who served as a Broadbeach PCYC board member and taught boxing there for many years, said it was one of a number of at-risk youth development programs no longer offered by the organisation.

Insiders have said that almost 40 current and former PCYC staff – including police – have united to raise concerns about the PCYC, with some hiring lawyers to lodge unfair dismissal and bullying claims.

At the time PCYC spokeswoman said they were aware of the complaint made by the employee.

“QPCYWA is aware of a complaint made by one employee that is the subject of an ongoing process and in which no findings have yet been made. We cannot comment on matters that are the subject of any investigation,” she said in a statement.

“QPCYWA categorically denies – and takes very seriously – any allegations that it is focused on anything other than helping troubled youth. QPCYWA is a charitable organisation and is solely focused on building safer, healthier communities through youth development offering vital services to the communities we serve.”

PCYC Queensland has strongly rejected “any allegations that it is focused on anything other than helping troubled youth”.

Police Commissioner and PCYC president Katarina Carroll has also defended the organisation, saying she was aware of only one bullying complaint that was under investigation.

She also said she was “incredibly proud” of the police partnership with PCYC, and officers involved were making “a real difference”.

Originally published as PCYC has lost its way, says former Qld top cop Jim Keogh