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ABC News
ABC News
Health
Sally Rafferty

Almost 150 Queensland police officers and staff remain suspended over jab refusal

Queensland Police Service is confident it has necessary staffing to cover any issues  (ABC News: Christopher Gillette)

Almost 150 Queensland Police Service officers and staff remain suspended after failing to receive their COVID-19 vaccination by the October 4 deadline.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll made the direction on September 2, mandating the jab for all employees.

The latest data from the Queensland Police Service shows 85 police officers and 60 staff members have been suspended so far.

A further eight employees, who were also suspended have since returned to work after receiving a dose.

A legal bid launched by a group of employees to defy the Commissioner's directive was quashed last week.

The Queensland Police Service has also granted almost 200 exemptions to staff on medical, religious or other grounds.

Commissioner Carroll said the service continued to be at the forefront of the COVID-19 response.

Massive organisation

Police Minister Mark Ryan said he was "not at all" concerned about the impact on police resourcing.

He said "99.4 per cent of police officers and staff members" were vaccinated or had an exemption, "so we're only dealing with a handful of people."

"The Queensland Police Service is a massive organisation. It's got over 17,000 staff, and I've got assurances from the Commissioner that there are sufficient resources to make sure the people of Queensland remain safe."

Mr Ryan said there were "COVID-safe measures" in place for staff members who had received an exemption.

'Big impact'

Shadow Police Minister Dale Last said the situation was "not a good look" for the service, which had played a lead role in the state's response to the COVID pandemic.

Mr Last said he had concerns it could create serious resourcing issues.

"If you look at the number of police officers who are suspended, that equates to around four 24-hour police stations, that's the equivalent in terms of staffing numbers.

The QPS said it was confident it had the necessary staffing to cover any issues.

It has been unable to provide a specific number of members who have resigned due to the mandate, but the latest figures suggest there has been no significant change.

All police officers and staff members are required to receive their second COVID-19 vaccination by January 24.

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