A serving Queensland police officer who engaged in “a pattern of predatory sexual conduct” against three junior female colleagues has won a permanent order protecting his identity.
The officer, anonymised in court documents as PSB, remains employed by the Queensland Police Service in a supervisory role despite a 2022 tribunal appeal decision that imposed a “suspended dismissal” for sexualised conduct towards junior female colleagues.
The Queensland civil and administrative tribunal ruled the man’s conduct while a sergeant – over two years – towards the women was “invariably initiated and often pre-planned”.
In one instance, a junior colleague told investigators that PSB called her into his office “to look at the view” and when she entered he was standing naked.
The Crime and Corruption Commission said in submissions the officer’s conduct amounted to “an established pattern of predatory sexual conduct”.
The CCC argued that PSB’s conduct was “so egregious” that his dismissal was “the only appropriate sanction in order to ensure protection of the public, uphold ethical standards in the police service and maintain public confidence in the service”.
The tribunal ultimately took into account PSB’s diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder in deciding to impose a “suspended dismissal”, which has allowed the officer to remain serving.
It found that his conduct would have, if he had full insight into his behaviour, amounted to “such a gross breach of the trust reposed in an officer by the public, and other police officers, and speak to a lack of integrity”.
At the time of the 2022 decision, he remained employed in a role that involved supervising other officers, despite concerns from the CCC that the position might involve having to receive disclosures from junior police about sexual abuse or other misconduct.
Earlier this year, the tribunal was asked to review whether a final non-publication order – permanently protecting the officer’s identity – should be granted.
It found the officer had not engaged in similar conduct since he was disciplined. It found that his PTSD diagnosis was “still applicable” and that as a consequence the publication of his identity “would cause a significant risk to the [the officer’s] mental health, together with embarrassment and stress to him and his family”.
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
