STATE’S BIG BOSS PULLS PIN
Queensland’s top cop has quit as Gold Coast police station bosses say they can’t fill rosters and their officers are posting memes showing the city “burning”.
Under-fire Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll announced on Tuesday morning she won’t extend her contract.
Sources had said she was expected to resign after a turbulent week for Gold Coast cops. The fallout from her decision could also lead to leadership changes on the Coast.
Ms Carroll indicated after speaking to Police Minister Mark Ryan she had brought her decision forward two weeks. Her contract was due to end in July. Her last day in the job will be March 1.
“I’ve had candid conversations with my husband, with my children, who have been unbelievably supportive, every step of the way,” she said.
“I made this decision – and was going to have the discussion about not renewing my contract with the minister, in about two weeks’ time, but because of the heightened speculation and commentary, I brought these discussions forward.”
She later added: “I didn’t want the distraction for the QPS.”
Ms Carroll said she had been “a visible leader” who’d worked on the frontline and thanked the government “for putting their trust in me” in leading “an extraordinary organisation”.
Premier Steven Miles said Ms Carroll had led with distinction and undertaken signficant reforms.
Mr Ryan said she had served with “honour and distinction”.
Her decision to walk away follows crisis talks on the Gold Coast between senior cops on Monday after Bulletin revelations of an internal revolt.
The unrest in the ranks was a result of a decision by top brass to stand down respected Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway over claims he authorised officers to ram a stolen car driven by an armed offender at Mermaid Waters on February 1.
Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge met with senior officers at Pimpama station on Monday and later denied the catch-up was for crisis talks saying it was “great opportunity” to discuss issues.
The attempt to hose down a rumblings of a revolt in the ranks backfired, according to police sources.
Memes began circulating and being hung in lunch rooms in protest, joking “this is fine” but they took aim at several Gold Coast senior managers. Another meme had the city burning with the header “everything is great”.
In other stunning developments overnight Monday:
The Runaway Bay station is struggling to fill its roster with only half the staff available due to sick leave.
Southport police station in the CBD is being described as “ground zero” as cops struggle to attend youth vandalism in a shopping centre.
Former top cop Jim Keogh says he believes Commissioner Carroll is the scapegoat, saying the government has failed to introduce tough enough laws to stop youth crime.
Southport MP Rob Molhoek said the crisis was first predicted a year ago when the Gold Coast Bulletin filed a special report on whistleblowers showing how rosters were half strength.
“Saw this coming, repeated calls on the government to address shortages at Southport,” he said.
Mr Molhoek accused Mr Ryan of failing to answers his questions to the Parliament about police numbers.
The Southport MP was visiting concerned retailers at the Southport Park Shopping Centre overnight after the windows to their shops were smashed.
“Security know the kids that did this, they are regular visitors to the centre, they even know where they live, but our overwhelmed police are stretched to thin to prioritise this over their many other daily challenges and priorities,” Mr Molhoek said.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor described Southport station as “ground zero” as residents in his electorate faced increasing crime.
“Our police have never been under more pressure.
“Their frustrations are genuine and understandable,” he said.
“The latest data shows there’s a net 322 fewer police on the beat across Queensland compared to 18 months ago.
“That means stations servicing my community like Southport are struggling to keep up with demand because their officers are getting overwhelmed on every shift.
“Police need a government who backs them and who will drive a better culture and follow through with delivering the right resources and stronger laws they’ve been calling for.”