Advocates say it was “disingenuous” for Queensland police to claim the commissioner would “fully cooperate” with a domestic violence inquiry when she had declined an initial invitation to attend.
The Queensland police service’s (QPS) commissioner, Katarina Carroll, told the inquiry on Thursday that she initially rejected an invitation to appear at a public hearing on 5 August.
But, on that same day, Queensland police told Guardian Australia that the commissioner had “provided a significant contribution [to the inquiry] and will continue to fully cooperate with any future proceedings”.
The spokesperson, who did not make any reference to the declining of the invitation at the time, had also said “witnesses who are requested to participate in the [inquiry] are a matter for the inquiry to determine”.
Greg Williams, a barrister who assists domestic violence victims pro bono, also received the same response when he emailed police on 8 August.
“Prior to them receiving my email, they knew very well that the invitation has been sent to the commissioner. I find [their response] misleading and a bit extraordinary,” Williams said.
“When Katarina Carroll was appointed, she said she wants her legacy to be tackling domestic violence head-on.
“You can’t do that if you avoid going to a commission of inquiry into how officers behave with domestic violence victims.”
On Thursday, Carroll said she agreed to attend a public hearing after the commission told her on 11 August that she was “required” to appear and asked if a summons needed to be issued.
Kerry Carrington, one of Australia’s leading experts in the policing of domestic violence, said the statement issued on 5 August was “not a good look”.
“Her resistance, her refusal … to take responsibility, to act with leadership … it’s consistent with her entire approach to the inquiry.”
Carroll had initially opposed proposals for an inquiry into police responses to domestic violence, but later changed her opinion, stating it was an “opportunity” to commit to reforms.
On Thursday she was grilled for more than eight hours, with the inquiry hearing damning evidence, including that two senior officers made misogynistic comments at two separate policing conferences this year.
One of the officers was promoted months after he jokingly implied another officer had sustained cuts on his face after giving a female officer oral sex to obtain a promotion, the inquiry heard.
Outside the inquiry, Carroll said the comments made her “sick” but denied there was a widespread cultural problem within the service.
The inquiry’s public hearings began on 11 July and had been scheduled to wrap up on 9 August, before the commission this week confirmed Carroll would give evidence on Thursday.
Carrington said Carroll, as the leader of the QPS, should have been called as the very first public witness.
“If the commissioner had been asked to attend the first week it would’ve given a licence to many more [officers] to come out and support [the inquiry],” Carrington said.
On Friday, the commission said it was “not appropriate” for it “to make any public statements about witnesses or any other matters in relation to the hearings”.
Queensland’s police minister, Mark Ryan, also refused to comment on whether it was appropriate for Carroll to decline to appear.
“The commissioner is leading historic reforms in the way the service responds to domestic and family violence,” Ryan said in a statement.
“She has made it clear that if more needs to be done to combat the scourge of domestic and family violence, then more will be done.”
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.”
Queensland police have been contacted for comment.
