Queensland’s corruption watchdog chief has questioned why police have not established an integrity unit recommended by a landmark inquiry into domestic violence four years ago.
Crime and Corruption Commission chair Bruce Barbour told a parliamentary committee there was a troubling trend of inconsistent decision-making on complaints made about Queensland officers.
“What we have seen is a continuing reduction, in our view, in the quality of the way in which police handle significant matters,” he said.
There were more than 2100 complaints to the CCC about police officers between July 1, 2025 and the end of March.
In 2022, Judge Deborah Richards recommended an integrity unit replace the current conduct complaints system following an extensive inquiry into how the service responded to domestic and family violence calls.
Richards recommended the unit be set up within 18 months, but it’s been 42.
Barbour said there was agreement between the police service and the union the change was needed, and it was up to the government to enact it.
“It is, I think, somewhat frustrating that we have not been able to move more quickly than has been the case,” he said.
Deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie was quick to point out his government was only in power for the past year and half, and said the government was working on getting the unit up and running.
“We’re working as hard as we can and I’m sure there is going to be a good resolution to that in the future,” he said.
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