Thousands of QPS complaints yearly
ABOUT 12 complaints are being made against police every day.
Data shows 4363 complaints were made against Queensland Police Service officers in 2018-19, up from 3411 in 2014-15.
About a third (1478) of those 2018-19 complaints resulted in further action, while 2885 were either dismissed or did not lead to ongoing investigations or sanctions against officers.
Research shows the number of complaints involving cops has continued to increase since 2014, peaking in 2017-18 with 4633 “customer” grievances recorded. In those 12 months, 1741 matters led to further action and 2892 were resolved at the time the complaint was made. It is understood the data is inclusive of internal, external and police link complaints.
A Bulletin investigation has focused on the independence of the complaints process, which could see working colleagues investigate each other.
Police sources suggest the handling of domestic violence complaints between female and male employees in the QPS remains problematic, with some women officers frustrated by the process.
The Ethical Standards Command (ESC) was created in 1997, and follows reforms first introduced by the Fitzgerald Inquiry between 1987-88 into allegations of police corruption. The recommendation from the inquiry was for an independent oversight body to investigate police complaints. The Crime and Corruption Commission now considers serious corruption matters.
Research also shows at least one quarter of all police complaints are made by police themselves.
Documents obtained by the Bulletin reveal Senior Sergeant Troy Lehmann, who heads up the bikie-busting Taskforce Maxima, is at the centre of an ESC domestic violence dispute surrounding an investigation involving an officer and former staffer.
Documents show Sen-Sgt Lehman was the “action officer/investigator” in the domestic violence complaint. He was also later the “case officer” for the ESC investigation.
The woman’s grievances are outlined in an affidavit filed to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission as part of stop-bullying action by then-Senior Constable James Treanor against the QPS.
The case ceased because Mr Treanor was medically retired, but in the past week the file and other police reports have been submitted to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce undertaking a wide ranging review, including domestic violence. The file was released by the Commission after the Bulletin made a request.
The QPS said Sen-Sgt Lehmann was only assigned to investigate disciplinable conduct regarding the female staffer’s ex-spouse, and the inquiry was “handled in accordance to QPS protocols and procedures”.
Bond University Criminology Associate Professor Terry Goldsworthy, a former Coast detective, said it was critical for the public to have confidence when making complaints against police.
Asked about the decision to appoint a police officer to an investigation when involved in the initial complaint, he said: “I would be very surprised if an officer involved in an initial investigation is then assigned to investigate a complaint about the handling of that investigation. Such an arrangement would be inappropriate in terms of transparency and governance.
“Senior police need to ensure that the public have confidence in the processes of complaint management if they lodge a complaint of inaction or in relation to a policing response. Any officer assigned to investigate other police, because of a complaint from a member of the public, needs to be at arm’s length from the initial police actions.”