Queensland police bungle could render hundreds of officer misconduct rulings invalid

Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll has emailed police about a court of appeal ruling that could see hundreds of workplace disciplinary rulings challenged. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

The Queensland police service may be forced to revoke sanctions against hundreds of officers – including police sacked or demoted for serious misconduct – after the state court of appeal ruled the force’s current practice for instigating disciplinary proceedings was “not valid”.

Sources say more than 300 formal internal disciplinary proceedings against police officers could be invalidated, or subject to potential legal challenge, as a result of the court ruling.