Dozens of police staff in bullying claims

QUEENSLAND police employees have made dozens of claims for compensation amid allegations of workplace bullying.

Right to Information documents reveal at least 82 claims involving allegations of negative workplace behaviours and bullying in the Queensland Police Service have been made since January 2013.

There was about one claim made every fortnight in 2013 and 2014, but that figure has since declined.

Police union president Ian Leavers said his organisation had received “many reports” of negative workplace behaviours in recent years and suggested some bullied officers might be hesitant to come forward.

“While some police report bullying in the workplace, most are reticent to come forward ... because of the perception it could affect their careers and limit their chance for promotion or cause reprisals against them,” he said.

“Often police in senior positions engage in bullying behaviours because they themselves are suffering PTSD or some other type of illness caused by policing itself, so we are working hard to break the cycle.”

Mr Leavers said the union and the QPS were trying to address the issue through a strategy focused on the health, safety and wellbeing of officers and their families.

A spokesman for the QPS conceded any incident was concerning and insisted workers were encouraged to raise any issues of bullying or harassment.