Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has told an inquiry into domestic violence that she was shocked and appalled over two incidents this year that involved misogynistic comments from senior police.
Key points:
- An additional sitting day was set up for Commissioner Carroll to give evidence to the inquiry
- The Commissioner says she agreed to come along after being asked if she needed a summons to be issued
- Commissioner Carroll acknowledged staffing levels for the police domestic violence command were "not a good look"
WARNING: This story contains strong language that some readers may find offensive.
Commissioner Carroll was asked about a recent incident at a "very formal" conference attended by the most senior leaders of the Queensland Police Service in March.
Counsel assisting the inquiry, Ruth O'Gorman, told the court, that a master of ceremonies had a cut and stitches on his face and told the audience that he had a "rough promotional process".
"A superintendent in the audience called out: 'Did she shut her legs on you?'," Ms O'Gorman said.
"That [comment] is not only not funny but extremely serious … it displays a level of misogyny directed at very senior female members of the Queensland Police Service."
The inquiry heard some officers were so offended, they walked out of the conference.
Commissioner Carroll was not at the conference but was informed about the incident days later.
"It's deeply disrespectful and it is misogynistic," Commissioner Carroll told the inquiry.
She said the superintendent "disputes" the wording but was "remorseful."
The superintendent was subject to "local managerial resolution" and disciplined, however he was promoted in July to Chief Superintendent.
'Vagina whisperer'
The inquiry also heard at a separate conference in Brisbane in April a deputy commissioner referred to a friend of his as a "vagina whisperer", during a speech to 100 staff.
Commissioner Carroll said the deputy commissioner was referring to a friend who was a gynaecologist and an obstetrician.
She said that the context didn't make it okay.
"I've been in this role for three years now, that has never occurred or been reported to me ever in the previous three years," she told the inquiry.
Commissioner of the inquiry, Judge Deborah Richards, interrupted: "So it's a worsening culture?"
"It's happened twice now this year … to say I was upset and appalled … is probably an understatement," Commissioner Carroll told the inquiry.
'Sexual assault complaints fabricated'
Commissioner Carroll acknowledged evidence given by a serving police officer, who described derogatory language used by male colleagues.
"You might have been told that he said a particular female officer at his station … was referred to as "c***y Mc c*** face", that other women at his station were referred to as "c***s, f***ing b***h, f***ing slut and mole'?" Ms O'Gorman asked.
"I heard it was shocking language – not to the extent that you've just said it," Commissioner Carroll told the inquiry.
"That isn't appropriate and that should not occur."
The court also heard in a written submission to the inquiry that a detective with more than 20 years' experience wrote he believed "90 per cent" of sexual assault complaints made by women were "completely fabricated or the women have a misunderstanding of rape or sexual assault."
"The other 10 per cent are investigated fully," the detective wrote.
"Common complaints are but not limited to: too drunk to remember consenting, feel sore so something must have happened, don't know if raped or not but thinks something happened, woke with no clothes on, seeks empathy from others, has a partner and feels guilty, can't decide if she consented or has regrets after drinking so it must be rape," the officer wrote.
Commissioner Carroll said that view was "completely inappropriate".
Ms O'Gorman asked whether Commissioner Carroll was prepared to accept that there was a problem within QPS with misogynistic and disrespectful views towards women affecting how police officers responded to domestic and family violence.
Commissioner Carroll replied: "Yes there is".
"It's incredibly important that I call out bad behaviour but I give hope to the good people in the organisation that things will change," she said.
"It's unacceptable that we do not meet the standards of society, it's unacceptable that we've let our victims down."
'Misogyny not widespread'
Commissioner Carroll told the inquiry she "can't accept" that sexism, misogyny and racism within the QPS were "widespread" issues.
"I admit that there are issues within the organisation, I know there are areas of concern that needs a lot of work."
"[But] most people in the organisation are not like that.
"The majority are doing the right thing … I'm committed to reform."
Commissioner initially declined request to appear
Earlier today, Commissioner Carroll confirmed she initially rejected a request to appear as a witness at the inquiry.
Public hearings for the Commission of Inquiry into QPS Responses to Domestic and Family Violence were meant to finish last Tuesday. But earlier this week, the inquiry confirmed the Commissioner would give evidence at an additional sitting today.
At the hearing, Ms O'Gorman asked Commissioner Carroll to confirm that she was contacted by the Commission through her lawyers on August 4 and asked to appear as a witness, but she declined.
"That's correct," Commissioner Carroll said.
Ms O'Gorman told the hearing the commission contacted Commissioner Carroll again on August 11 and told her that her attendance was "required" and asked whether she needed a summons to be issued.
"I was content to come along," Commissioner Carroll responded.
Outside court, Commissioner Carroll was asked by journalists why she initially rejected an invitation to give evidence.
"That [request] actually went to my staff and I didn't realise it was going to be interpreted that way so there was no ill intent," she said.
"It [the inquiry] gave people an opportunity to tell their story so I'm … hoping that there is some great recommendations out of this as well."
Commissioner Carroll said "extensive reforms" were already underway.
"Training, performance … new governance systems, all of this has started, better training around culture at the academy as well with recruits … we've already commenced a new leadership framework as well," Commissioner Carroll said.
More than 75 witnesses have given evidence in sittings in Brisbane and regional Queensland, including serving and retired officers, domestic and family violence service providers, experts, First Nations peoples and victim-survivors.
The inquiry was a key recommendation of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce, which found cultural problems "appear to be widespread" within the QPS.
It is due to hand down its final report in October.
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2022-08-18 03:07:12Z
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