Queensland's Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says she hopes to survive a report into police culture which threatens to cast into doubt her suitability to lead the service.
Commissioner Carroll defended her position after media reports that the inquiry into the police response to domestic and family violence makes damning findings about her leadership and handling of cultural issues of sexism, racism and sexual harassment within the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
"I'm a CEO in charge of 17,500 people … I'm hoping to survive [the findings]," she said.
"I don't have plans to step down.
"I actually believe that I'm the person to take this organisation forward.
"I do have the support of the [police] minister … I need to continue my reform agenda."
Watch house workers racist remarks 'truly abhorrent'
Commissioner Carroll said audio secretly recorded inside the Brisbane City watch house that reveals police and staff using racist slurs was "truly abhorrent".
Watch house whistleblower Steven Marshall gave the recordings to The Guardian.
"It's tough to stand here and listen to that being said … I have apologised and I apologise again to victims internally and externally," Commissioner Carroll said.
"Leadership is upset about it … most of the good people in my agency are upset about it, they can't fathom how people can speak that way."
The matter has been referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and Commissioner Carroll said the watch house officers and staff had not yet been identified.
"It is with the CCC but my view is if you're going to make those remarks about anyone in such a racist manner, they should not be in our organisation," she said.
"It is completely unacceptable."
She said it was "excellent" that Mr Marshall came forward.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Wheeler said he spoke to Mr Marshall in early October and he had not been at work for a "very, very long time."
"I spoke to Mr Marshall for a considerable period of time … he's raised a number of issues," Mr Wheeler said.
"I asked him what he needed, I made sure he had support, which is occurring."
"At the moment he is not in the workplace, he is on a period of leave," he said.
Recordings 'abhorrent': police minister
Police Minister Mark Ryan said he fully supports Commissioner Carroll and was currently reading the inquiry's final report.
He agreed that the watch house recordings were "abhorrent" and "inconsistent" with the values of the QPS.
Mr Ryan said police officers should be stood down over racist comments.
Commissioner Carroll said the entire QPS workforce was currently doing cultural training.
The commission of inquiry into the QPS culture and response to domestic and family violence delivered its final report to the state government on Monday.
It will be considered by cabinet ministers next week before the findings are made public.
