Police culture in spotlight

A COMMISSION of inquiry will look into the culture of the Queensland Police Service and whatever else it considers necessaryin a broad ranging probe aimed at bettering police responses to domestic violence.

The inquiry, to be headed by Judge Deborah Richards, has been backed in by the state’s top police officer Katarina Carroll after she rejected calls for a probe last year.

It will look at whether there are cultural issues relating to domestic and family violence investigations and whether these have contributed to the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system.

The inquiry will probe the capabilities of the state’s police officers when responding to domestic violence and the adequacyof the QPS’ conduct and complaints handling processes against officers.

It will also be able to look into any other matter it considers relevant.

It will be up to the Commission to determine whether public hearings are held, with the inquiry to begin on May 30. It’s expected to last four months.