New figures revealing a 'concerning increase' in Queensland police officers accused of domestic violence likely underestimate the true scale of the problem, advocates say, because most victims aren't reporting.
of how domestic violence allegations involving police officers are handled. Victims reported they had experienced coercive control, stalking, intimidation, systems abuse and conspiracy to murder, and that their perpetrator's training and access to police weapons and systems were used to intimidate and threaten them.
Most victims of domestic abuse by serving police don't report violence or apply for protection orders, says Rosie O’Malley.The QPS told the Taskforce that all allegations of domestic violence against employees were "thoroughly investigated" and acted on if required, and that complaints were investigated in line with various laws and operational policies.
Ms Sarkozi said police should not be allowed to investigate domestic violence allegations involving colleagues from the same station or within "their sphere of influence". The complaints system must also be improved, she added, so that police are "held to a higher ethical standard": complaints alleging officer misconduct or corruption should be investigated independently, with rigorous protocols for managing sensitive information and conflicts of interest.
For instance, she said the Crime and Corruption Commission in "around February, March" changed its classification of domestic violence complaints against police from "misconduct" to "corrupt conduct" — meaning they would more likely be investigated by the CCC than referred back to the QPS.