Police to continue to use potentially faulty pistols

Andrew Stafford and Farid Farid | April 23, 2026

Police will continue to use potentially faulty service pistols while the firearms undergo testing, a deputy commissioner says.

The admission came after a fault was identified, showing 15,000 Glock pistols issued by the Queensland Police Service could accidentally fire multiple bullets.

However, while all the pistols will be tested, they are not all being immediately recalled despite the discovery of the malfunction that increases the weapon’s potential lethality.

Deputy Commissioner Chris Stream said community safety would not be diminished while the state’s supply of service-issued Glocks was tested.

“The ones that aren’t tested will continue to be used,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Mr Stream was asked whether it was possible faulty weapons could be used in the field before they were tested, with potentially fatal consequences.

“Yes, there is that possibility,” he said.

“It would only come into effect if the weapon was drawn in a lethal use-of-force situation.

“It doesn’t diminish the wider community safety.”

He said weapons that failed further testing would be replaced with Glocks that had passed the test.

Officers have received instructional videos about the issue.

While the number of weapons affected and the cost of replacements were not yet known, Mr Stream said cost was not an issue in maintaining community safety.

Queensland Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie said on Thursday the findings were concerning. 

“We are now demanding answers of the Queensland Police Service,” he said.

The Queensland Police Service has used the pistol since 1999.

Mr Stream was unable to say why the issue had arisen now.

“The QPS is actually still purchasing these weapons new, and as late as 2025, we received new batches of weapons,” he said.

“New testing has revealed this specific issue.”

He said no operational incidents had been recorded in connection with the handguns.

Queensland Police are working with suppliers to identify defects.