Queensland’s police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, has announced she will step down from the role early following years of increasing pressure over youth crime and the service’s response to domestic violence.
Carroll met with the state’s police minister, Mark Ryan, on Tuesday, less than three weeks after the stabbing death of Vyleen White in front of her granddaughter at Redbank Plains prompted renewed debate in Queensland about youth crime.
Carroll told reporters her decision to resign next Friday, five months before her five-year contract ended, without seeking another term, was made after conversations with her husband and children.
“I made this decision, and was going to have the discussion about not renewing my contract with the minister, in about two weeks’ time, but because of the heightened speculation and commentary, I brought these discussions forward,” Carroll said.
“It truly has been an honour and a privilege to not only serve as a police officer, but to lead an organisation of more than 17,000 amazing staff… I believe it is time to allow new leadership to guide the organisation forward.”
In an email to police officers on Tuesday morning, seen by Guardian Australia, Carroll confirmed her last day would be next Friday, 1 March. She said “serving the community of Queensland for over 40 years has been a privilege and an honour”.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the officers, staff, and the community for their unwavering support throughout my tenure. It has been an incredible journey.”
Former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk appointed Carroll as the state’s police commissioner in 2019.
She had started her career in general duties before being promoted to the rank of detective and taking on leadership positions in the drug squad and the Ethical Standards unit.
In 2014, Carroll served as the fire and emergency services commissioner.
Carroll was invited to brief cabinet this month, after White’s death prompted further political pressure about youth crime in Queensland. Following the meeting, the premier, Steven Miles, revealed the government would increase penalties for the possession of knives and consider expanding police powers to crack down on them further.
Guardian Australia spoke to former police officers last week who described growing discontent in the service.
Some complained of staff shortages, a ballooning work load and a lack of support from police leadership. Others expressed disappointment with a lack of reform on police integrity following the commission of inquiry into domestic violence.
Palaszczuk had earlier backed Carroll in November 2022 amid calls for her to resign following a finding by the inquiry that a “failure of leadership” had allowed sexism and racism to take hold in the service.
Carroll initially rejected an invitation to appear at the inquiry, prompting the commission to ask if they needed to issue a summons for her to attend.
On Tuesday, Carroll said it “was never the case” that she initially refused to appear despite agreeing at a hearing in August 2022 that was what had occurred.
She said she had wanted time to implement domestic violence reforms after the Covid-19 pandemic before the inquiry could occur.
Carroll said the inquiry allowed police to have “great recommendations” and “extra resources” but it had “tarred” everyone in the police force “with the same brush”.
The Courier Mail reported last week there was further unrest in the service after a Gold Coast officer was stood down over allegations he authorised officers to ram a vehicle.
But Carroll denied she was being used as a “scape goat” for challenges in the police force.
“I purposely brought it forward so we could move on,” Carroll said.
Carroll said she would like to be remembered as a “compassionate leader” who cared about the people in her organisation and the state of Queensland.
“I think as leaders, you always look back and you think, wow, I’ve got more work to do… but that’s leadership.”
Ryan said “history will be very kind to the commissioner.”
“She has led the police service during difficult times,” he told reporters.
