‘Failure of leadership’ in Queensland Police let misogyny, sexism and racism flourish

For those old enough to remember Tony Fitzgerald’s tectonic report into the Queensland Police Service, yesterday served as a chilling reminder of how years can dull the most historic of reforms.

Of course, Judge Deborah Richards’ recent commission of inquiry report has neither looked at nor found the deep-seated corruption that shamed the state more than three decades ago. But the findings, which followed an investigation into police responses to domestic violence, are just as painful — and demand more action than the Palaszczuk government has promised.

A failure of leadership. A lack of understanding about the nature of domestic violence. Poor resourcing.  Misogyny. Sexism. Racism. Complaints ignored, with some victims turned away from stations and even “misidentified” as perpetrators.

And that’s just the start of this report that followed damning evidence, including of sexual harassment, sexual assaults and rapes of officers in the Queensland Police Service, all of which was enveloped by a culture of fear and silence.

“Most of those submissions were made confidentially because of fear of reprisal by the organisation, or a fear of being seen as a ‘dog’ by their colleagues, if it became known they had spoken to the commission,” the report said.

Recruits were told as part of their training — as late as this year — to expect that male colleagues would “hit on them”. The report also notes that female officers were referred to as “front bums” and rated “on their attractiveness”.

Shifts were changed so police predators could work alone at night with specific females, and “sexism, sexual harassment and predatory behaviour towards first-year constables and junior female officers” were significant issues.

Sexist language — terms such as “vagina-whisperer”, “princess” or “tea wench” — was used, and sexist magnets, including of women in lingerie, adorned station fridges.

Female police officers on nightshift were followed into toilets and asked for a blow job, touched on the bottom just before a job interview, hugged and had their breasts cupped, massaged and kissed, had their vagina rubbed through their clothing, and threatened with rape.

The report was also highly critical of the state’s first female police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, who was appointed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, finding she had failed to act on the culture of sexism and misogyny and lacked understanding of the principles and practices of the police conduct and complaints system, and that this reflected “poorly on her leadership”.

The report called for more than 70 recommendations to rework the service and its recruitment, operation and complaints processes. 

But delivering the report is one thing. It’s what’s done with it that counts. Yesterday Palaszczuk made the right noises, just as she did with the past two inquiries that highlighted flaws in the state’s administrative culture. Queenslanders are still waiting to see if, how and when the recommendations of those reports — written by Fitzgerald and professor Peter Coaldrake — are implemented.

Yesterday’s report tells the same sad old story and goes into the same in-tray overflowing with instances of flawed culture and appalling behaviour.

Palaszczuk said she was confident in Carroll’s ability to lead the service: “To bring about the reforms and the cultural change needs a strong woman. That strong woman is the commissioner, Katarina Carroll.”

It’s a sterling personal endorsement, as much as a professional one, but one not shared by all her senior ministerial colleagues.

Carroll will get a lot of help, with several big roles taken from her and given to others. Complaints will now be assessed outside the police service. A domestic violence victims’ commissioner will be appointed. An assistant commissioner for First Nations peoples will be appointed. Her deputy will be charged with coordinating the reforms and reporting directly to the government. The commissioner’s job will be saved. At least for now.

It’s a risky roll of the dice with yesterday’s long list of recommendations due to be implemented before Palaszczuk and her government go back to the polls in October 2024.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

Is Katarina Carroll capable of changing the Queensland Police Service’s entrenched racism and sexism? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.