‘Disgusting’ Qld police conduct condemned

Marty Silk | October 5, 2022

Disgusting. Predatory. Unacceptable.

That’s how Queensland’s top cop described the behaviour of senior policemen who helped each other get away with sexual assaults on junior female officers.

Multiple cases of sexual assault, harassment and bullying in the force have been aired in an inquiry into police culture.

The probe, before Judge Deborah Richards in Brisbane, is considering whether sexism and misogyny affects police responses to domestic violence.

It heard that within the force, alleged abusers have been given a slap on the wrist, while victims often stay silent in the fear that speaking out will ruin their careers.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll admits there’s a culture of silence and that perpetrators are being disciplined “inappropriately”.

“(There’s) a deep fear of speaking out, but also losing confidence in the discipline system that should be protecting them,” she told the inquiry on Wednesday.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Ruth O’Gorman said there had been 1676 complaints against 738 Queensland Police Service (QPS) members in the two years to June 30.

One detective senior sergeant preyed on junior officers, committing at least nine sexual assaults between 2002 and 2018.

In one incident he walked up to a female officer who was waiting to be interviewed for a job and slid his hand over her bottom, up her back and onto her bra.

During her interview another senior officer passed a note saying “loose?” to the sergeant, who nodded and smiled.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Ruth O’Gorman asked the commissioner if she found the behaviour disturbing.

“It’s disgusting. It’s predatory. It’s unacceptable. I completely agree,” Ms Carroll said.

Perpetrators who were reported have been disciplined using a policy of local management resolution (LMR), which is intended for minor incidents.

Some cases were “resolved” after abusers had a private meeting with a senior male colleague, some of whom were themselves subject to sexual harassment allegations, with no further consequences.

Meanwhile, serving and former police have told the probe about their fear of being called “a dog” for speaking out.

Some who have complained 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 said a 2019 review found workplace bullying came about as a result of the “very paramilitary” leadership style in the QPS, which she was trying to change.

The commissioner also apologised to three female officers who “fell through the cracks” after complaining about sexist and racist bullying by their superior.

An internal investigation found an officer-in-charge had bullied nine people over the 13 years to 2019.

He yelled, threatened, swore and sent pornographic images to officers in his station, calling one member a “towelhead”.

The man’s behaviour was also dealt with via LMR, and he was later promoted.

Three female detective senior constables were bullied so badly after reporting him they felt compelled to be transferred to uniform policing or quit.

Another victim was stonewalled by colleagues after reporting a sexual assault by a senior officer.

“It destroyed my career. I could not rectify it,” she said.

“I often wonder how these colleagues would react if their wives or daughters were unfairly victimised like this in a workplace on top of being sexually harassed.”

Ms Carroll is set to continue giving evidence at the inquiry on Thursday.