An inquiry into Queensland police culture and domestic violence is accepting new submissions after being contacted by officers as fallout continues over sexist comments allegedly made by two senior police officers.
The Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service (QPS) Responses to Domestic and Family Violence will be open for submissions until September 5.
In a statement, the commission said it would like to hear from "people who have knowledge of cultural issues within the QPS".
It comes after former deputy police commissioner Paul Taylor resigned on Friday and Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder took leave over the weekend amid outcry over misogynistic comments they allegedly made at two separate police conferences earlier this year.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said it was "very important" that police be given more resources, education, training and rehabilitation.
"The Queensland Police Union has a very positive approach that we can achieve some meaningful change that will certainly protect victims and give police the resources and tools to be able to better deal with domestic violence incidents," he said.
Mr Rohweder is yet to comment publicly on claims that he made lewd comments during an police conference in March.
The inquiry heard that a master of ceremonies at the conference had a cut and stitches on his face and told the audience that he had a "rough promotional process".
Mr Rohweder allegedly called out: "Did she shut her legs on you?"
The inquiry heard some officers were so offended, they walked out of the conference.
Mr Rohweder — then a superintendent — was disciplined for the comments but was later promoted in July.
A Queensland police spokesperson declined to comment on whether Mr Rohweder took leave of his own volition, or if he was forced to stand aside.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was seeking legal advice on the matter.
During the inquiry, Commissioner Carroll described the comments allegedly made by Mr Rohweder as "deeply disrespectful" and "misogynistic".
She said while Mr Rohweder was "remorseful", he "disputes" the words said to have been used in the incident.
Mr Taylor, the second senior police officer accused of inappropriate remarks, resigned on Friday after the inquiry heard he referred to a friend of his as "vagina whisperer" during a separate conference attended by 100 members in Brisbane in April.
"It was never my intention to offend anyone, and I am deeply apologetic for the harm it has caused," Mr Taylor said in a statement.
Support for Carroll
The fallout has prompted various Queensland ministers, including Transport Minister Mark Bailey, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni and Employment Minister Di Farmer, to express their support for Commissioner Carroll.
"I absolutely support Commissioner Carroll in her role as the head of the Queensland Police force. She's doing a very, very good job," Mr Bailey said at the weekend.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said Commissioner Carroll should lead cultural change within the force.
"She deserves the opportunity to drive the change that comes from the Commission of Inquiry. But there is significant change that's required," Mr Crisafulli said.
However, he said Police Minister Mark Ryan needed to be questioned over a decline in Queensland policing numbers, which he said was "making life very difficult for police".
"What I want to see come from the inquiry is a reflection that where change needs to occur at a leadership level, that that cultural change can occur," he said.
"And I also want to get back to having men and women in blue uniforms to have more colleagues standing beside them and laws to make Queenslanders safer. That's not happening at the moment."
'Deplorable'
In response, Mr Ryan said the Queensland government had invested $3 billion in the police service, calling it the "biggest investment in community safety in 30 years".
He also said the government had strengthened youth justice bail laws and counted the safety of women and children as one of the areas of "major reform".
"For the LNP to suggest a lack of resourcing or reform is simply untrue," he said.
In an earlier statement, Mr Ryan said Mr Rohweder's alleged comment was "deplorable".
"I expect high standards from all police officers at all times," he said.
"That comment does not meet the high standards expected in a modern contemporary police service."
