The Queensland premier says most police officers aren’t responsible for the force’s deep-seated cultural issues with misogyny, sexism and racism.
An inquiry into police responses to domestic violence probed the culture of the Queensland Police Service during hearings in Brisbane this week.
It aired allegations that multiple female officers had been sexually assaulted, harassed, threatened and bullied by colleagues at work.
Alleged abusers have been given a slap on the wrist, while victims often stay silent for fear that speaking out will ruin their careers.
There was also evidence that officers, including those training recruits, have voiced misogynistic and racist views at work and in public.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk defended police after the inquiry wrapped up hearings on Friday.
She said “it would not be right” to pre-empt the findings, but added most officers weren’t responsible for cultural problems within the force.
“I honestly do believe that the majority of police are doing the right thing in this state,” Ms Palaszczuk told reporters on Friday.
“Men and women are trying their hardest. But in relation to these cultural issues, some of these deep-seated cultural issues, I look forward to seeing the recommendations of the inquiry.”
Police union president Ian Leavers also insisted “small pockets” of individuals were responsible for most incidents of “abhorrent” behaviour.
“What I do say is 98 per cent of the people that I represent are doing the right thing each and every day,” Mr Leavers told the inquiry on Friday.
“I do think it needs to be called out, it needs to be addressed, but we need to dive deeper as to why it is occurring and what can be done as we move into the future.”
In response to questioning from counsel assisting Anna Cappellano, he later revealed his members were making sexual harassment complaints as often as once a month.
“It could be, yes,” Mr Leavers said.
The probe heard earlier this week there had been 1676 complaints made against 738 QPS members by colleagues in the two years to June 30.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll was disturbed to hear detailed evidence of senior male officers sexually assaulting and abusing their female colleagues.
Women had been raped, kissed, touched inappropriately, threatened and stalked online and in person by senior colleagues, the inquiry heard.
Many women had been called names and repeatedly bullied for years on the basis of their gender.
There was evidence some male officers had sent female colleagues photos of their penises and even videos of themselves masturbating.
“It’s disgusting. It’s predatory. It’s unacceptable. I completely agree,” the police commissioner told the probe on Wednesday.
Ms Carroll revealed she had escaped an attempted assault by a senior colleague when she first joined the force, and had been bullied and harassed.
Serving and former police spoke of a fear of being called “a dog” by colleagues or stonewalled for speaking out in submissions.
Those who did said they’ve been threatened with prison, force fed dog food and given dog bowls, or had dog food put on their desks.
Ms Carroll admitted victims were being let down by the culture of silence, and perpetrators were being disciplined “inappropriately”.
(There’s) a deep fear of speaking out, but also (people) losing confidence in the discipline system that should be protecting them,” the commissioner said.
Judge Deborah Richards, who’s leading the inquiry, said the situation reminded her of the 1989 Fitzgerald Inquiry into police corruption.
She said 33 years ago if someone made an allegation against a police officer, and they said “it didn’t happen”, then the complaint was struck out.
“That seems to still be the case,” Judge Richards said.
The commissioner will hand down her final report on police responses to domestic violence on November 14.
© AAP 2022
