Whistleblower witch hunt: Top cop mulls it over

The Gold Coast’s top cop will consider investigating the source of whistleblower complaints following a damaging fortnight for the force and his leadership.

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon fronted the media on Monday after the Bulletin revealed claims by officers the city’s watch houses were overcrowding and they were being told not to arrest offenders on return to prison warrants.

“I will talk to other management within the (Queensland Police Service) and see how we intend to deal with that,” Mr Hanlon said. “The problem is people make these claims, whether the claim is accurate or misreported, I don’t know.”

Staff within the Southport lockup said the facility was overcrowded and they were contemplating walking off the job and taking stress leave. They claimed the Coolangatta Watch house was also full.

In response in Monday’s Bulletin, whilst QPS denied office claims to stop arresting offenders, it said: “But they are instructed to act strategically based on arrests and custody timelines to minimise operational impact.”

Chief Superintendent Hanlon said on Monday no officer had been directed to stop making arrests.

“One of the things police do very well is arrest people,” Mr Hanlon said.

“We always make sure we have a proportionate number of staff to manage the number of prisoners in our watch houses.”

He acknowledged the city was experiencing “significant demand but it was being managed.

“To make sure we are moving prisoners around so that we are not placing too much burden on one facility.”

It’s the first time the Gold Coast’s top cop has held a press conference since his leadership and the city’s top brass have come under fire. A staff revolt continues within the ranks in the wake of controversial decisions by management to stand down highly respected officers over

claims they were helping to catch armed offenders. The public backlash led to the resignation of Commissioner Katarina Carroll last week. Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers has also unleashed on the Gold Coast management and claimed there was a “disconnect” between management and beat staff.

“I know what happens behind the scenes. They openly defy things that are required to be done,” Mr Leavers said.

“They need to do their job and do as they are told, like every other police officer in the state.”

On Monday Chief Supt. Hanlon said he “totally” rejected the comments by the QPU president.

“Maybe Mr Leavers may actually need to be held to account on some of those comments.”

“I totally disregard that. I think it’s inaccurate.”

Mr Hanlon was scheduled to meet with the Coast’s union delegates on Monday afternoon to discuss the issues of the past fortnight.