The resignation of the now former Queensland Police deputy police commissioner Paul Taylor over inappropriate comments he made during a speech has put pressure on another senior police officer to do the same.
Key points:
- Paul Taylor resigned from his position as deputy commissioner on Friday
- Comments allegedly made by Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder have been condemned by Queensland ministers
- The Queensland Council of Civil Liberties says due process is needed
The comments made by Mr Taylor and Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder came to light this week during the final days of the Commission of Inquiry into QPS Responses to Domestic and Family Violence.
The inquiry heard Chief Superintendent Rohweder had also used inappropriate language at a “very formal” police conference.
The inquiry heard that a master of ceremonies at the conference had a cut and stitches on his face and told the audience that he had a “rough promotional process”.
Chief Superintendent Rohweder allegedly called out: “Did she shut her legs on you?”
The inquiry heard some officers were so offended, they walked out of the conference.
Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni said he too would have left the room.
“If I was at that event and I heard that language, I would have walked out too,” he said.
“I find that completely unacceptable, I think all Queenslanders do.
“I can’t underscore enough how unacceptable I find those comments.”
Mr de Brenni said Mr Taylor had done the “honourable thing” by resigning over comments he made referring to a friend as a “vagina whisperer”.
“That was the appropriate thing to do,” he said.
Prior to hearing the comments allegedly made by Chief Superintendent Rohweder, Mr de Brenni condemned “vulgar” language being used.
“If those comments that he has perhaps made are of an equal vulgar nature, then I am sure he will do the right thing and resign,” he said.
“Those sort of comments that we heard revealed at that inquiry in the last week do not set the right tone or the appropriate culture in any setting.
“We need to stamp out that sort of language, we need to stamp out that sort of culture.”
During the inquiry, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll called the comments allegedly made by Mr Rohweder “deeply disrespectful and it is misogynistic”.
She also said the then-superintendent “disputes” the wording but was “remorseful.”
The superintendent was subject to “local managerial resolution” and disciplined. However, he was promoted in July to Chief Superintendent.
Police Minister Mark Ryan would not comment on the situation.
Ministers file in behind Commissioner
Both Mr de Brenni and Employment Minister Di Farmer called many of the details put to the inquiry “confronting” but reiterated their support for Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
“Commissioner Carroll is an esteemed servant of this state,” Mr de Brenni said.
“We have full confidence in her ability to lead the police service and we have full confidence in her ability to improve its capability and its culture,” Mr de Brennis said.
Ms Farmer said the inquiry proved cultural issues had to be addressed at “the highest levels”.
“It is very very confronting for all of us, very, very confronting for the many excellent police officers who are doing their job to the best of their ability, and I want to thank those good police officers for what they do. They too … would want to ensure their police force is operating at its absolute best.”
Queensland Police Commissioned Officers’ Union president Daniel Bragg agreed, saying it was not fair the entirety of the police force was being painted in a bad light.
“I’ve worked with the Queensland Police Service for several decades and in that time, I’ve found the police to be very respectful of all people, regardless of who they are or what their demographic is,” Mr Bragg said.
“The commentary labelling police as a whole as misogynistic grubs is unfair and wrong.
“Police do a tough job, they see a couple of dead bodies a week and are constantly dealing with other people’s trauma.
“The role they play in society is admirable. Sometimes they drop the ball, as everyone does, but that shouldn’t taint the entire organisation.”
Queensland Police Commissioned Officers’ Union represents both Mr Taylor and Chief Superintendent Rohweder.
Vice-president of the Queensland Council of Civil Liberties Terry O’Gorman said the culture in the police force had to change.
“Misogyny has just in the last number of months in the police service been identified. It’s got to be fixed up, police have to change their ways but police should not lose their job on it in respect of past culture,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“The culture’s got to change but police have got to be told in no uncertain terms: any further activity of this type in the future, you do lose your job.
“The Commissioner’s got to be given an opportunity now to address a problem which has been clearly identified — if the Commissioner can do that she should clearly keep her job.”
Pressure shifts to Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder after Paul Taylor’s resignation as Queensland Police deputy commissioner & Latest News Update
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