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AAP
AAP
Politics
Marty Silk

Jailed Qld cops to face immediate sack

Police Minister Mark Ryan has introduced a bill that will allow the QPS to dismiss a jailed officer. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Convicted Queensland police officers sentenced to prison terms will be immediately sacked under proposed state laws.

Currently the Queensland Police Service must wait until all legal appeals and internal disciplinary proceedings are finalised before dismissing jailed officers.

Police Minister Mark Ryan says that is an unacceptable situation, allowing people who refuse to resign from the force to remain police officers behind bars, sometimes for months.

He has introduced a bill that will allow the QPS to dismiss an officer as soon as they are jailed, at any stage of the legal process.

"It is a nonsense for a police officer to continue in that role if they are a convicted offender imprisoned in jail," Mr Ryan told parliament on Thursday.

"In dismissing a police officer or police recruit upon being sentenced to imprisonment simply is common sense, and is consistent with community expectations."

The minister said further changes to the QPS discipline system were possible if they were recommended by the recent commission of inquiry into police responses to domestic violence.

That probe heard multiple female officers had been sexually assaulted, harassed, threatened and bullied by senior colleagues.

Many alleged abusers were given a stern talking-to, known as local management resolution, while victims often remained silent because they feared speaking out would ruin their careers.

Judge Deborah Richards is due to hand down her final report on November 14.

Mr Ryan said he was grateful for the "dangerous, difficult and traumatic job" police did, but there was no place for people who do the wrong thing in the force.

"The application of local management resolution is already being addressed by the police commissioner," he said.

"However, the government will carefully consider the recommendations the commission of inquiry might make about the police discipline system and consult all stakeholders about any need for legislative amendments during this term of government."

The proposed laws will also allow QPS staff who are not serving officers to issue gun licences.

The minister said that in an average week police received 350 new applications, 360 renewal applications and 1000 application for permits to acquire firearms.

He said the change will allow the weapons licensing branch to use all staff at its disposal.

The proposed amendments will also make it illegal to pretend to be a member of the Rural Fire Service.

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