Top cop’s statement is released as inquiry rocked by claims of sexism, racism

A “significant overhaul” of Queensland’s domestic and family violence legislation is needed, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says, as an inquiry into the service has received almost 100 submissions in a week.

Carroll made the comment in her statement to the independent commission of inquiry into the Queensland Police Service’s response to domestic violence, adding it was “difficult to quantify exactly” what resources police needed to help officers combat growing numbers of incidents.

Her statement has been made publicly available more than a week after she gave her testimony.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was “deeply disappointed to hear that we have let down victims and the community” in her statement.

She was grilled about high-ranking police allegedly making lewd comments at conferences, and conceded there was misogyny, racism and sexism in the service.

Carroll was also questioned about the budgetary needs of the QPS.

“It is difficult to quantify exactly what further resources are required,” she said in her statement.

“Assessment of the resources required to implement the recommendations from this commission of inquiry, as well as the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, will form part of the QPS’ standard cabinet budget processes.

“It is clear, however, that greater investment is required in order to address existing gaps such as more face-to-face domestic and family violence training.”

Carroll said the inquiry had heard evidence of frustration with inefficiencies created by existing legislation.

A “significant overhaul” of legislation was required to move towards a paperless system, she added, which would likely require investment to update communication and technology systems for the QPS and courts.

She said the QPS was working with Queensland Treasury Corporation to identify the future resourcing requirements needed.

During her testimony, Carroll told the inquiry the QPS had a budget of $3.1 billion.

The cabinet budget review committee decided funding would be set aside for the QPS pending further government consideration, including $17.5 million over four years and $4.4 million for all police staff to have better education and training on domestic and family violence and coercive control.

There was also $6.8 million over four years to ensure operational policies and procedures guided police in identifying and responding to domestic and family violence, and $6.3 million over three years to trial and evaluate mobile co-responder models between police and DV services.

Under-treasurer Leon Allen, who gave evidence before Carroll on August 18, said in his statement the allocation of the funds was a matter for Carroll.

Carroll also said a survey instigated by the inquiry found 25 per cent of officers received positive feedback from victims they had helped.

“The evidence is clear that cultural issues do exist in some areas of the QPS. This must change, and I am committed to improving our culture to ensure that we respond to [domestic violence] appropriately,” she said in her statement.

The inquiry last week extended submissions, with Commissioner Deborah Richards particularly interested to hear from police officers or those reporting cultural issues.

Since August 22 the commission has received almost 100 written submissions and accounts over the phone.