Queensland’s commission of inquiry into police responses to domestic violence has unexpectedly reopened submissions to the public, citing the reaction to evidence given by the state’s police commissioner as a driver for the decision.
Queensland’s police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, was interrogated for more than eight hours at a public hearing in Brisbane last week after she initially declined an invitation to attend.
The commission said it was contacted by a number of Queensland police service (QPS) members after Carroll “agreed” there were “significant cultural issues relating to sexism, misogyny and racism” within the force.
“After considering the answers to the questions put to [Carroll] at that hearing and upon receiving further communications from current and former members of the QPS … the commission has decided that it’s necessary to reopen call for submissions,” the commissioner, Deborah Richards, said during a brief hearing on Monday.
Richards said the commission was particularly interested in “any cultural or other issues that may be affecting the ability of officers to effectively undertake the important and onerous task of protecting our most vulnerable citizens”.
The new cut-off date for public submissions was 5 September and responses could be made confidentially, Richards said.
In another first, the commission said it would arrange for the recording of Carroll’s evidence to be uploaded to the website “to assist any individual who may wish to address any of the issues canvassed during their evidence”.
The commissioner urged QPS members to provide information to the inquiry to “assist in the accurate, full and fair reporting of these matters in the final report”, due to be handed to the government on 4 October.
Richards said decisions regarding additional public hearings would be made after submissions closed.
The commission extended the deadline for submissions by a week in June after Guardian Australia reported they were criticised for a tight submission cut-off.
Officers and service providers said they were concerned the call for submissions appeared to have been made quietly and that the deadline was so soon.
The new deadline for submissions comes as deputy commissioner Paul Taylor sensationally resigned on Friday after the inquiry heard he referred to a gynaecologist friend as a “vagina whisperer” during a leadership conference this year.
Taylor, who has been a police officer for 45 years, said he was “deeply apologetic” for the harm his comments had caused and it was never his “intention” to offend anyone.
“I am devastated about the impact this has had on the reputation of the service, because it does not reflect my values, nor those of the organisation,” Taylor said in an email to colleagues on Friday.
“I was remorseful immediately after the incident, and the commissioner addressed the matter with me soon after.”
His QPS colleague Ch Supt Ray Rohweder announced he would take leave after the inquiry heard he made a lewd comment at a separate police conference in March.
The inquiry heard Rohweder was promoted months after he allegedly yelled out “did she shut her legs on you” to the master of ceremonies who had joked about a “rough promotional process” while referring to a cut on his face.
Both Taylor and Rohweder were put through a “local managerial resolution” process as a result of their behaviour, Carroll said at the hearing.
In an email sent to police staff on Friday, Carroll said she appreciated “that many of you are hurting as a result of what has been disclosed” by the inquiry.
“Some serious issues and incidents have been raised that do not meet our expectations, nor the expectations of the community we serve,” Carroll said in the email.
“These issues will continue to be addressed and resolved; however I do not want this to detract from the incredible effort and commitment the vast majority of you show on a daily basis.”
In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.
