Premier backs embattled Commissioner in wake of seismic police inquiry

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has backed the state’s embattled Police Commissioner to instigate changes that will root out deep-seated cultural issues in the service.
The state government has given in-principle support to all 78 recommendations handed down after the Commission of Inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence.
“This inquiry is raw and confronting but at the end of the day, this is about improving responses to domestic and family violence,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“What this report does is essentially rip the Band-Aid off and says there are some deep-seated cultural issues.”
Ms Palaszczuk pledged $100 million to fund the sweeping reforms, which she said will be “nation-leading”.
Press PLAY below to hear the major reforms set to be brought into the police service
The report found the way in which some officers interact with women and First Nations people to be problematic.
Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski will be appointed the Special Coordinator for Police Reform, while a new Assistant Commissioner for First Nations role will be created.
Meanwhile, Katarina Carroll will stay on as Police Commissioner, with the support of Cabinet.
“To bring about the reforms and the cultural change needs a strong woman,” the Premier continued. “That strong woman is the Commissioner, Katarina Carroll.
“This is going to be confronting and it’s going to take every ounce of her strength to bring about this reform. I’m confident that she is the right person to do it.”
Ms Carroll denied there is a widespread cultural problem in the police force but agreed there were issues with misogyny and racism when she attended the inquiry in October.
When giving her own evidence, the Commissioner told the inquiry she had been subject to sexual assault and harassment multiple times early on in her career.
“This report is confronting, it is disturbing and I cannot think of a more appropriate person to lead the reform than a strong woman,” Ms Palaszczuk continued.
“When she headed QFES, she had a mighty job to do and she did that. This is an opportunity for the QPS to do better.”
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