Two Gold Coast officers face disciplinary action for pursuit with armed teens in stolen car

Two more respected Gold Coast police face scrutiny for a dramatic attempt to box in a stolen car and juveniles in the wake of rank-and-file fury at a senior officer’s stand down.

Sergeant Todd Miller and Senior Constable Aaron Minns face disciplinary action over 2022 pursuit.

Another two Gold Coast police officers are facing disciplinary action after helping catch armed juvenile offenders in a stolen car.

Sergeant Todd Miller and Senior Constable Aaron Minns were involved in a pursuit with the Skoda SUV near Pimpama in September 2022, internal police documents obtained by the Bulletin reveal.

They were attempting to box the vehicle in when the offenders hit Constable Minns’ car and caused it to lose control.

Police sources say the stolen Skoda had well-known repeat juvenile offenders on board and was linked to a string of crimes in the days prior to the pursuit.

“We’re talking about robberies, burglaries and violence. They’re (offenders) s**t bags to put it bluntly,” the officer said.

“Miller and Minnsy were told by their boss to box-in the car and that’s what they were doing, following a lawful direction.”

Senior Constable Aaron Minns (left) was injured in the 2022 pursuit when he was hit by the stolen car.

Disciplinary documents served on Sgt Miller and Const Minns following the pursuit reveal the stolen car had been driving on its rims for at least an hour, entering the M1 and speeding through busy shopping centre car parks.

“The vehicle then took the BP off-ramp at Coomera losing control several times”, the incident report states.

“(Supervisor name removed) gave approval to box in the stolen vehicle due to its dangerous manner of driving.

“As the unmarked police vehicle attempted to pass on the right-hand side, the stolen vehicle conducted a pit manoeuvre colliding with the unmarked police vehicle, causing it to spin around.”

Const Minns suffered spinal injuries from the impact and is still receiving treatment more than 18 months on from the incident. He only recently returned to work on light duties. Sgt Miller who was involved in the incident has taken time off work. Despite both officers being approved by their supervisor to take down the vehicle, they are still facing disciplinary action over the pursuit.

Colleagues of respected Sergeant Todd Miller say he has taken extended leave over the pursuit. Picture Glenn Hampson

It comes after an uproar among the rank-and-file staff and Queensland Police Union about frontline officer Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway being stood down. It’s claimed he helped catch armed offenders by authorising officers to ram a stolen car on the Gold Coast on February 1. That incident allegedly involved repeat juvenile offenders as well, who are accused of a crime spree spanning several days.

It is the second time he’s been stood down over a pursuit. Beat police are so angry a #freeOtters campaign has started in stations included posters of a blindfolded sea otter meme.

Colleagues of the other officers - Sgt Miller and Snr Const Minns - claim they are being “punished” for butting heads with a higher-ranking officer on the Gold Coast.

“(The higher-ranking officer) butted heads with Otters as well. Now (Otters) is facing disciplinary action too,” a police source said.

The Queensland Police Union is demanding Commissioner Katarina Carroll intervene and overturn the decision. However the same response hasn’t been forthcoming for Sgt Miller and Snr Const Minns who, for 18 months, have been waiting to hear if they’ll be cleared over the pursuit in 2022.

The Queensland Police Service denied the incidents were similar in nature.

“An officer may be subject to discipline if they contravene such directions without reasonable excuse,” a QPS spokesman said.

The Bulletin asked whether the two officers were accused of not following a direction, despite an incident report appearing to show they were authorised to “box-in” the stolen car by their supervisor.

The spokesman declined to comment and said the pursuit was still being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command.

Originally published as Two Gold Coast officers face disciplinary action for pursuit with armed teens in stolen car