Top cop on Coast facing the flak
Rank and file still restless
The decision by top cop Commissioner Katarina Carroll to quit has put the spotlight on the Gold Coast’s senior officers, with the rank and file wanting a “no confidence” motion.
But the Queensland Police Union is pushing against the action, the Bulletin understands, but officers are demanding union delegates give the green light to requests for a meeting.
“If there truly is no issue (with management), then let us vote on them,” an officer said.
“They can put this to bed by letting us have a say, or will they avoid it because they know what the answer will mean.
“Our union (QPU) needs to pick a side – are you with the officers, or with the pen pushers.”
A Queensland Police Union (QPU) spokesman said it had not been made aware of the request for a no-confidence vote.
The QPU last week was critical of Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon after the suspension of Senior Sergeant Aaron Ottaway. The popular senior sergeant is alleged to have authorised officers to ram a stolen car driven by an armed offender at Mermaid Waters on February 1.
QPU president Ian Leavers talked about “punitive measures” against Sergeant Ottaway.
In response to the criticism South Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Brian Swan supported Superintendent Hanlon’s work. “I support both my chief superintendents, and the leadership of both districts” he said.
“(They) are committed to doing their best to keep the community safe and do their best to support our staff.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner’s exit has not changed staffing stress at the coalface and rank-and-file officer outrage.
Runaway Bay police station was at “breaking point” with senior officers unable to fill rosters, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said about the station in his Broadwater electorate.
“My local officers are at breaking point and there’s been times where less than half the positions are on deck. Youth crime has never been worse in Queensland, and my community isn’t immune to Labor’s crime crisis.”
As tensions within the force grew, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge met senior officers at Pimpama Station on Monday.
“I certainly don’t think it is anywhere near what has been portrayed,” he said.
He also reiterated the Gold Coast’s top cops had his “full support”, with no disconnect between leadership and staff.
“There are some small pockets – that’s not just here it’s across the state – that from time to time people do get frustrated.”
Furious officers responded by taking to police chat groups and sharing memes of senior officers in front of the Southport police station on fire, with “everything is great” printed next to the officer.
In another post, an officer is in front of Surfers Paradise as it goes up in flames. He is wearing an eye mask with a speech bubble: “I don’t see a problem.”