Police were told to ‘elevate’ this advisory body. It’s been sacked

The news

Queensland Police sacked its formal First Nations advisory body on the day of former commissioner Katarina Carroll’s departure, after members refused to sign agreements that would silence their public advocacy.

In a statement, the terminated group said the move contradicted the terms of its elevated role as recommended by the inquiry into police responses to domestic violence – which found attitudes of racism, sexism, fear and silence had been allowed to flourish.

“I am excited to commence this journey together through mutual respect and common goals,” former police commissioner Katarina Carroll wrote in the group’s co-designed terms of reference.Credit: Matt Dennien

“Until drastic action is taken to address the culture that exists within the QPS [Queensland Police Service], we hold great concern that any action taken by QPS will be tokenistic, performative and for the purposes of optics to mislead our communities,” the group wrote.

Police said they began an “internal assessment” of the group in December which found it “was not meeting the purpose and original intent” of its formation, suggesting members reapplied via a “transparent recruitment process”.

Why it matters

The group had been vocal in recent months about the “outward racist ideology” expressed by police union president Ian Leavers, calling for action from police and political leaders in open letters with support from legal identities.

Terms of reference made note of police honouring the group’s sovereignty and self-determination, outlined the purpose of the group around transparency between police and First Nations communities and ensuring police were accountable to them.

Signed off by Carroll and the group’s nine members last March after the 2022 inquiry recommended police “elevate” its role, the co-designed terms called for a “self-assessment” of the group after a year.

Carroll’s successor in the top job, Steve Gollschewski, has faced – and denied – accusations of “racialised language” from the group.

What they said

“The actions of the QPS to have total disregard for the approved [terms of reference] and the inability to sit with the discomfort of accountability are a direct manifestation of the culture of racism that the Commission of Inquiry exposed in 2022,” the group said.

It laid out a timeline including contracts sent to the group for signing in mid-January containing confidentiality clauses, and unexplained lump-sum payments to some members despite no previous payments being given.

The group said it then tried to seek meetings and explanations with little response and culminating in an email advising it had been terminated on February 29, after which it made additional unanswered attempts to raise concerns with police and Premier Steven Miles.

Perspectives

In a statement responding to the group’s concerns, police suggested the internal review found “gaps” with the group’s operation and said it was seeking to address these in the new recruitment round to “build on, modernise and reshape” the group.

“The QPS intends to maintain its current commitment to meeting the original concept for standing up the FNAG,” police said, attributing the decision to “release” former members to First Nations Division executive director Alan Dewis.

Brisbane Times contacted Miles for comment but was given a response from Police Minister Mark Ryan, who said he supported the decision. Police declined to respond to further questions.

Ensuring the intent and purpose of the Advisory Group is properly constituted is critical to this work. I support the QPS efforts in this regard.

Statement from Police Minister Mark Ryan

What you need to know

The 2022 inquiry criticised “inaccurate statements” made by police about the group not being representative or having a proper selection process. “This was not correct,” its report said.

A now-expired online application for the group’s new prospective members said they would be paid daily sitting fees under government regulations, required to sign a police advisory group contract agreement and “abide by the code of conduct for the Queensland Police Service”.