Queensland’s new police commissioner says the future of an independent police integrity unit remains undecided despite an inquiry recommending it be set up by next month.
The independent police integrity unit was one of the most significant recommendations from a commission of inquiry into the state’s police force and was supposed to end the practice of police investigating police.
But Steve Gollschewski, who was sworn in as police commissioner on Monday, said it was “not yet decided … what should happen into the future”.
“That’s a recommendation that was accepted in principle. More work has been done on that,” Gollschewski said.
The inquiry into police responses to domestic violence unearthed horrific evidence of sexism, misogyny and racism in the service. It recommended all complaints against police be investigated by an independent integrity unit within the state’s corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC).
The final report from the inquiry had strict deadlines, with the independent unit due to be set up in May 2024.
“I remain in dialogue with the chair of the CCC and the other stakeholders in that space looking to how we can improve the discipline system,” Gollschewski said.
He said he was committed to establishing “the best possible discipline system”.
Asked whether the new unit would be set up by May, Gollschewski said “there is a lot more work to be done in that space yet”.
Guardian Australia reported last year that the CCC and the Queensland police service (QPS) were accused of undermining and watering down the recommendation for an independent integrity unit.
The CCC currently investigates less than 1% of complaints against police officers, referring the majority of matters back to Queensland police for internal review.
The QPS’s annual report last year showed no disciplinary sanctions were issued in the vast majority of excessive force complaints.
Gollschewski served as acting commissioner after Katarina Carroll resigned under political pressure in March. Before that he was responsible for implementing the findings of the independent commission of inquiry into QPS responses to domestic and family violence.
The new commissioner has served as a Queensland police officer for 44 years in scores of different roles and stations and served as the state’s disaster coordinator during the Covid-19 pandemic. He’s the state’s most experienced police officer. His father and brother both served as officers.
The premier, Steven Miles, said the veteran cop was a “well known and respected senior officer in the Queensland police service and will do a fantastic job”.
Gollschewski domestic and family violence was “a priority” for him in the top job, and flagged using “innovative” IT solutions including using AI to manage the enormous paperwork burden that reporting creates. As acting commissioner he commenced a crackdown on youth crime, operation Whiskey Unison.
“I’ve never had any blind ambition. I’m somewhat surprised I’ve ended up here because of the way things unfolded,” he said.
“But I’ve always been one to put my hand up when I think I can help and that’s why I’m here.”
