Commission of inquiry to probe police response to domestic violence

A commission of inquiry will probe whether there are cultural issues within the Queensland Police Service and the capability of officers to respond to domestic violence.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane this week. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

A commission of inquiry will probe whether there are cultural issues within the Queensland Police Service and the capability of officers to respond to domestic violence.

It will also look at the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system and the adequacy of  the current conduct and complaints handling processes against officers.

Police have accepted the inquiry which was announced on Tuesday as part of historic reforms that will address women's safety in Queensland. 

Judge Deborah Richards will head the inquiry that will begin on May 30. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk acknowledged the dedicated work of the state's police officers.

“However, the issues raised by survivors with the Taskforce require further investigation to ensure all women feel confident they’re being listened to," she said. 

The Premier on Tuesday accepted all 89 recommendations of Justice Margaret McMurdo's first report of the Queensland Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce, revealing a $363 million package that will also criminalise coercive control. 

The inquiry will also examine the adequacy of the current conduct and complaints handling processes against officers to ensure community confidence in the police service. 

Judge Richards will be supported by Counsel Assisting Pat McCafferty QC to conduct the inquiry.Judge Richards is the President of the Children's Court of Queensland and a Judge of the District Court. 

Judge Richards also served as a member of the Taskforce on Women in the Criminal Code in 1998.

More than $3 million has been allocated to the inquiry which is expected to take four months. 

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has pledged her support in a social media post.  

The Commissioner, who The Courier-Mail understands was overseas at a conference at the time the inquiry was announced yesterday, published the post last night.

She also paid tribute to the tireless advocacy of Sue and Lloyd Clarke, whose daughter Hannah and grandchildren Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were murdered in one of Queensland’s most horrific incidents of domestic violence.

“The QPS welcomes the $363 million investment by the Queensland Government to better protect victims of domestic and family violence,” she wrote.

“The announcement, which includes new coercive control laws and education for young people, will have a huge impact on domestic and family violence in Queensland.

“The QPS will fully support the Commission of Inquiry and looks forward to sharing the many initiatives being implemented by our Service, as well as the dedicated work of our police.

“We also welcome any opportunity to improve processes and how we respond to these incidents.”

Ms Carroll said everyone had a responsibility to stop domestic violence.

“I would like to acknowledge Sue and Lloyd Clarke, who through their advocacy work in Small Steps 4 Hannah have raised much needed awareness around coercive control,” she finished.

The Commissioner is understood to be at an international conference with another high ranking officer.

Originally published as Commission of inquiry to probe police response to domestic violence

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