Police caught on camera running red lights, speeding for no reason
ALMOST 200 Queensland police officers have been caught treating the road rules with contempt – speeding and running red lights without a legitimate reason.
Figures obtained by The Courier-Mail under Right to Information laws show 653 police were snapped by speed and red-light cameras in 2008-09. Of those, almost a third were made to pay the fines themselves after internal investigations found they could not justify their behaviour. Decisions are pending in another 23 matters.
In 20 cases where police were held responsible for their offences, they were travelling at more than 20km/h above the speed limit or running red lights. And, in one instance, police were forced to pay the corporate penalty for speeding when they could not identify the driver of the police vehicle caught on camera.
Speeding is one of the biggest killers on Queensland roads and was last year considered a factor in almost a quarter of the 331 deaths.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said public safety was one of the service's key priorities. "Every time a police car is issued with an infringement notice the full circumstances are investigated and overseen by officers at regional and state level to determine if the driver was operating lawfully," the spokeswoman said.
Under section 144 of the Transport Operations Act, police are exempt from some road rules when responding to a car crash, a disturbance or police in need of assistance and during pursuits and ambulance escorts. "If the driver cannot prove they were acting lawfully under the act, the infringement is enforced," the spokeswoman said.
During 2008-09, the QPS had 2259 vehicles on the road which travelled 78 million kilometres, she said. "In that time there were 192 traffic infringements enforced. This is a very low rate of speeding infringements by any measure." [i.e. most of them got away with it]
SOURCE
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Police who don't want to be police
QUEENSLAND police officers are changing out of their uniforms for fear of being targeted while off duty on Brisbane trains.
According to an anonymous letter to the Queensland Police Union Journal, one officer complained that high-ranking officers were concerned uniformed police were hiding under plain shirts and jackets to avoid attention. "Many of our members travel on public transport and often make use of a cover shirt in order to prevent harassment and possibly being assaulted by some of the undesirable passengers," the letter says.
"I am also fully aware of the reason police wearing uniform on public transport is to provide a high visibility, however, with due respect to those who hold plain clothes positions and also utilise public transport, one has to question the validity of the high-visibility concept. "Members work their required hours and as such should then be afforded the opportunity to travel home without having some grub, who probably doesn't have a ticket, give them a hard time."
Police travel free on TransLink public transport by showing their badge, whether in uniform or plain clothes, on and off duty.
A Queensland Rail spokesman said passengers benefited from police travelling on trains. "In our experience, the presence of uniformed officers on QR services helps to reduce the incidence of antisocial behaviour," he said.
"Off-duty and plain clothes officers also assist transit officers with curbing antisocial behaviour, and have demonstrated their willingness and ability to identify and curb antisocial behaviour before it escalates. "QR appreciates the assistance."
According to the TransLink policy, police travelling free are to stand to allow fare-paying passengers to have a seat when services are busy.
SOURCE
QUEENSLAND police officers are changing out of their uniforms for fear of being targeted while off duty on Brisbane trains.
According to an anonymous letter to the Queensland Police Union Journal, one officer complained that high-ranking officers were concerned uniformed police were hiding under plain shirts and jackets to avoid attention. "Many of our members travel on public transport and often make use of a cover shirt in order to prevent harassment and possibly being assaulted by some of the undesirable passengers," the letter says.
"I am also fully aware of the reason police wearing uniform on public transport is to provide a high visibility, however, with due respect to those who hold plain clothes positions and also utilise public transport, one has to question the validity of the high-visibility concept. "Members work their required hours and as such should then be afforded the opportunity to travel home without having some grub, who probably doesn't have a ticket, give them a hard time."
Police travel free on TransLink public transport by showing their badge, whether in uniform or plain clothes, on and off duty.
A Queensland Rail spokesman said passengers benefited from police travelling on trains. "In our experience, the presence of uniformed officers on QR services helps to reduce the incidence of antisocial behaviour," he said.
"Off-duty and plain clothes officers also assist transit officers with curbing antisocial behaviour, and have demonstrated their willingness and ability to identify and curb antisocial behaviour before it escalates. "QR appreciates the assistance."
According to the TransLink policy, police travelling free are to stand to allow fare-paying passengers to have a seat when services are busy.
SOURCE
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Police secrecy about attack on Indian
"Racial sensitivities" apparently. The public are too dumb and stupid to be given important information, apparently. One guess that the offender was an ethnic too -- perhaps a Polynesian (Maori etc.)
A SERIOUS alleged knife attack at one of Queensland's busiest train stations during the peak afternoon commuter period was kept quiet by authorities. The Courier-Mail has learnt that an Indian man's throat was slashed while he waited on Platform 9 at Brisbane's Roma Street Station about 4.20pm on March 17.
A 26-year-old man was charged a short time later after handing himself in at police headquarters, across the road.
It is alleged the attack on Narendrakumar Patel, 34, was seen by police monitoring the station on closed-circuit television screens. But details of the incident were never released by police despite the high-profile location. Sources have claimed that a decision was taken by authorities not to release details of the assault, which is certain to fuel fears about train station safety.
It also will spark debate about whether Indians are the target of racially motivated attacks in Queensland, an issue that has raised tension between the Australian and Indian governments after a spate of attacks in Victoria.
Police would not comment on the case, or the decision not to release details.
But Opposition justice spokesman Lawrence Springborg said the attack struck "at the heart of confidence of all rail commuters" and the public had a right to know about it. "I hope that this has not been covered up or hosed down by our authorities because of the nationality of the victim," he said.
Police Minister Neil Roberts said train stations were patrolled by 54 officers in the rail squad and more than 100 full-time transit officers and private security guards. He said the clear-up rate for crime on the rail system was "very good".
Mr Roberts also said he had been briefed on recent incidents involving people from various ethnic backgrounds. "Some are obviously racially motivated, however police advise me that in their opinion the majority of incidents involving persons from different ethnic backgrounds are not suspected of being racially motivated," he said.
The man accused of attacking Mr Patel was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and carrying a knife in a public place. It is believed the bluntness of the knife saved Mr Patel from more serious injuries. Despite police prosecutors opposing bail, the man was released and is due to face court again on April 15.
SOURCE
"Racial sensitivities" apparently. The public are too dumb and stupid to be given important information, apparently. One guess that the offender was an ethnic too -- perhaps a Polynesian (Maori etc.)
A SERIOUS alleged knife attack at one of Queensland's busiest train stations during the peak afternoon commuter period was kept quiet by authorities. The Courier-Mail has learnt that an Indian man's throat was slashed while he waited on Platform 9 at Brisbane's Roma Street Station about 4.20pm on March 17.
A 26-year-old man was charged a short time later after handing himself in at police headquarters, across the road.
It is alleged the attack on Narendrakumar Patel, 34, was seen by police monitoring the station on closed-circuit television screens. But details of the incident were never released by police despite the high-profile location. Sources have claimed that a decision was taken by authorities not to release details of the assault, which is certain to fuel fears about train station safety.
It also will spark debate about whether Indians are the target of racially motivated attacks in Queensland, an issue that has raised tension between the Australian and Indian governments after a spate of attacks in Victoria.
Police would not comment on the case, or the decision not to release details.
But Opposition justice spokesman Lawrence Springborg said the attack struck "at the heart of confidence of all rail commuters" and the public had a right to know about it. "I hope that this has not been covered up or hosed down by our authorities because of the nationality of the victim," he said.
Police Minister Neil Roberts said train stations were patrolled by 54 officers in the rail squad and more than 100 full-time transit officers and private security guards. He said the clear-up rate for crime on the rail system was "very good".
Mr Roberts also said he had been briefed on recent incidents involving people from various ethnic backgrounds. "Some are obviously racially motivated, however police advise me that in their opinion the majority of incidents involving persons from different ethnic backgrounds are not suspected of being racially motivated," he said.
The man accused of attacking Mr Patel was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and carrying a knife in a public place. It is believed the bluntness of the knife saved Mr Patel from more serious injuries. Despite police prosecutors opposing bail, the man was released and is due to face court again on April 15.
SOURCE
Friday, March 26, 2010
Charming Queensland police footballers again
The obscene "riot" by a similar group in a Toowoomba hotel in 1989 was never energetically investigated. Nine officers were charged but none convicted. So this will probably fade rapidly way also.
Note that a SERT officer is involved again. That seems to be a really weird group. Running around the streets naked was their most recent caper before this. SERT should probably be disbanded and the personnel put into desk jobs. There are certainly plenty of desk jobs in the Qld. police
THE future of police rugby league carnivals is in doubt after an embarrassing incident involving drunken officers in Kingaroy this week.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson is understood to be furious about the conduct of the officers and considering cancelling future carnivals.
Internal investigations are underway into the incident involving a police liaison officer from Rockhampton and a Cairns' State Emergency Response Team officer outside a fast food outlet.
The behaviour of the SERT officer who allegedly performed an obscene act on the drunk PLO was caught on CCTV footage outside the McDonald's Restaurant in Haly Street.
Other officers were seen applauding his behaviour.
The PLO was later arrested and charged with drunkenness.
Commissioner Atkinson is expected to release more details of the investigation later this morning.
SOURCE
The obscene "riot" by a similar group in a Toowoomba hotel in 1989 was never energetically investigated. Nine officers were charged but none convicted. So this will probably fade rapidly way also.
Note that a SERT officer is involved again. That seems to be a really weird group. Running around the streets naked was their most recent caper before this. SERT should probably be disbanded and the personnel put into desk jobs. There are certainly plenty of desk jobs in the Qld. police
THE future of police rugby league carnivals is in doubt after an embarrassing incident involving drunken officers in Kingaroy this week.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson is understood to be furious about the conduct of the officers and considering cancelling future carnivals.
Internal investigations are underway into the incident involving a police liaison officer from Rockhampton and a Cairns' State Emergency Response Team officer outside a fast food outlet.
The behaviour of the SERT officer who allegedly performed an obscene act on the drunk PLO was caught on CCTV footage outside the McDonald's Restaurant in Haly Street.
Other officers were seen applauding his behaviour.
The PLO was later arrested and charged with drunkenness.
Commissioner Atkinson is expected to release more details of the investigation later this morning.
SOURCE
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunshine Coast police officer sacked for drink-driving
An unlucky one got caught
A SUNSHINE Coast police officer has become the first in Queensland to be sacked under the Commissioner's new drink-driving policy. The 30-year-old constable recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.235 - almost five times the legal limit - when he was stopped by police at 1am on July 19, 2009. He was off-duty and driving his own car on the Sunshine Motorway at Marcoola.
The officer was stood down from duties ahead of his court appearance in September, at which he pleaded guilty to drink driving. An Ethical Standards Command investigation was held and today he was dismissed by the Deputy Commissioner.
The new drink driving policy was introduced on July 1 last year after Commissioner Bob Atkinson became concerned about a spate of officers being caught over-the-limit while off-duty.
Source
An unlucky one got caught
A SUNSHINE Coast police officer has become the first in Queensland to be sacked under the Commissioner's new drink-driving policy. The 30-year-old constable recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.235 - almost five times the legal limit - when he was stopped by police at 1am on July 19, 2009. He was off-duty and driving his own car on the Sunshine Motorway at Marcoola.
The officer was stood down from duties ahead of his court appearance in September, at which he pleaded guilty to drink driving. An Ethical Standards Command investigation was held and today he was dismissed by the Deputy Commissioner.
The new drink driving policy was introduced on July 1 last year after Commissioner Bob Atkinson became concerned about a spate of officers being caught over-the-limit while off-duty.
Source
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thug cop's $28 a week speeding penalty labelled a joke
Eaton is notorious
A SENIOR traffic officer clocked driving at 223km/h on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane last year will have his pay docked by about $28 a week as punishment.
Senior Sergeant Bryan Eaton, the officer in charge of Pine Rivers District traffic branch, recorded the breakneck speed while chasing a motorcyclist on the night of August 22 last year. He was initially stood down from his post but was reinstated last December while a disciplinary investigation was carried out.
Assistant Commissioner Ross Barnett conducted a hearing with Sen-Sgt Eaton on March 10, and yesterday handed down his penalty - a single pay point reduction for 12 months. The punishment amounts to a loss of about $1500.
Under Queensland law, drivers caught travelling at 40km/h or more above the speed limit face a $933 fine, eight demerit points and an automatic six-month licence suspension.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission said it was yet to be notified of the decision relating to Sen-Sgt Eaton. "If we have concerns we can choose to take various courses of action," a CMC spokeswoman said. [None at all, you can bet]
In May 2003 Sen-Sgt Eaton was involved in a disastrous police pursuit near Coen in far north Queensland. Andrew Hill, 33, and Alan Toohey, 49, died when a police four-wheel-drive landed on top of their unregistered utility during the chase on dirt roads.
Despite the coroner's finding that Sen-Sgt Eaton had "driven in a dangerous manner with little regard for the safety of the occupants of the car he was chasing", he was not charged.
Relatives of the men killed in the 2003 chase said yesterday the latest decision was "typical". "To me it's just a joke. It suggests the whole disciplinary system is laughable," widow Cami Hill said. "What does it say to the average Joe out there when the police officer-in-charge can go out and do more than twice the legal speed limit and still be employed as a policeman?"
Maryanne Toohey said she was enraged by the decision. Her son Bram, 21, agreed. "If he was any ordinary person he'd be put away," said Mr Toohey, who was just 14 when his father was killed. "There seems to be one law for him and another for everyone else."
Last week, another police officer was given a notice to appear for dangerous driving following an incident on December 20, 2009.
Source
Eaton is notorious
A SENIOR traffic officer clocked driving at 223km/h on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane last year will have his pay docked by about $28 a week as punishment.
Senior Sergeant Bryan Eaton, the officer in charge of Pine Rivers District traffic branch, recorded the breakneck speed while chasing a motorcyclist on the night of August 22 last year. He was initially stood down from his post but was reinstated last December while a disciplinary investigation was carried out.
Assistant Commissioner Ross Barnett conducted a hearing with Sen-Sgt Eaton on March 10, and yesterday handed down his penalty - a single pay point reduction for 12 months. The punishment amounts to a loss of about $1500.
Under Queensland law, drivers caught travelling at 40km/h or more above the speed limit face a $933 fine, eight demerit points and an automatic six-month licence suspension.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission said it was yet to be notified of the decision relating to Sen-Sgt Eaton. "If we have concerns we can choose to take various courses of action," a CMC spokeswoman said. [None at all, you can bet]
In May 2003 Sen-Sgt Eaton was involved in a disastrous police pursuit near Coen in far north Queensland. Andrew Hill, 33, and Alan Toohey, 49, died when a police four-wheel-drive landed on top of their unregistered utility during the chase on dirt roads.
Despite the coroner's finding that Sen-Sgt Eaton had "driven in a dangerous manner with little regard for the safety of the occupants of the car he was chasing", he was not charged.
Relatives of the men killed in the 2003 chase said yesterday the latest decision was "typical". "To me it's just a joke. It suggests the whole disciplinary system is laughable," widow Cami Hill said. "What does it say to the average Joe out there when the police officer-in-charge can go out and do more than twice the legal speed limit and still be employed as a policeman?"
Maryanne Toohey said she was enraged by the decision. Her son Bram, 21, agreed. "If he was any ordinary person he'd be put away," said Mr Toohey, who was just 14 when his father was killed. "There seems to be one law for him and another for everyone else."
Last week, another police officer was given a notice to appear for dangerous driving following an incident on December 20, 2009.
Source
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Official lethargy in dealing with police misbehaviour
This would have been covered up completely but there were too many witnesses
It has taken 175 days for police to charge four of their own officers over a public nuisance offence. Six months after a post buck's party alleged nude romp, the case of four highly trained specialist police has finally been brought to action. But the naked cop scandal isn't over yet – a fifth officer is still waiting disciplinary action.
The Special Emergency Response Team officers were allegedly involved in a series of nude dashes through Brisbane's suburbs, around an unmarked police van when it stopped at traffic lights. The charges come after the specialist officers – who cost an extra $50,000 to train – have languished in office jobs since being stood down from operational police work following the incident.
In a statement, police announced tonight that four of the five men allegedly involved in the romp had been issued with notices to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court after they provided a statutory declaration of their involvement in the off-duty incident. A police spokeswoman confirmed investigations into the fifth officer's involvement were still ongoing.
Opposition police spokesman Vaughn Johnson slammed the QPS for taking "absolutely too long" with its "turtle-paced" investigation. "These men should have been put back on duty straight away because they are of great value to the QPS," Mr Johnson said. "To have them sitting in an office has been a waste. "These are policing professionals who should have been told not to do it again and get back to work."
The post-bucks party shenanigans allegedly happened late Sunday, September 20 last year, following a boozy buck's cruise on Moreton Bay. The van was allegedly driven by an on-duty officer as a "blue light taxi", to pick up boozed mates and ferry them back to the Oxley Police Academy. Police said tonight all five officers embroiled in the scandal still faced QPS disciplinary process, and would continue to be stood down from duty until the court process was finalised.
The officers will appear in court on March 30.
SOURCE
This would have been covered up completely but there were too many witnesses
It has taken 175 days for police to charge four of their own officers over a public nuisance offence. Six months after a post buck's party alleged nude romp, the case of four highly trained specialist police has finally been brought to action. But the naked cop scandal isn't over yet – a fifth officer is still waiting disciplinary action.
The Special Emergency Response Team officers were allegedly involved in a series of nude dashes through Brisbane's suburbs, around an unmarked police van when it stopped at traffic lights. The charges come after the specialist officers – who cost an extra $50,000 to train – have languished in office jobs since being stood down from operational police work following the incident.
In a statement, police announced tonight that four of the five men allegedly involved in the romp had been issued with notices to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court after they provided a statutory declaration of their involvement in the off-duty incident. A police spokeswoman confirmed investigations into the fifth officer's involvement were still ongoing.
Opposition police spokesman Vaughn Johnson slammed the QPS for taking "absolutely too long" with its "turtle-paced" investigation. "These men should have been put back on duty straight away because they are of great value to the QPS," Mr Johnson said. "To have them sitting in an office has been a waste. "These are policing professionals who should have been told not to do it again and get back to work."
The post-bucks party shenanigans allegedly happened late Sunday, September 20 last year, following a boozy buck's cruise on Moreton Bay. The van was allegedly driven by an on-duty officer as a "blue light taxi", to pick up boozed mates and ferry them back to the Oxley Police Academy. Police said tonight all five officers embroiled in the scandal still faced QPS disciplinary process, and would continue to be stood down from duty until the court process was finalised.
The officers will appear in court on March 30.
SOURCE
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Gold Coast police are the most complained about
An inspector from Brisbane has been deployed to keep tabs on troubled Surfers Paradise police. The Courier-Mail can also reveal Gold Coast officers are the most complained about in the state, generating almost 600 complaints in the past 18 months. Figures obtained under Right To Information laws show 130 complaints related to the use of excessive force while allegations of corruption accounted for another 13 and there were nine referrals to the Crime and Misconduct Commission for investigations.
The CMC is investigating Gold Coast police over concerns that some have become too close to the nightclub scene, including possible involvement in the drug trade. About 40 officers have been subpoenaed to appear before secret hearings. Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson recently expressed concern about some officers being heavy-handed in busy nightspots such as the Gold Coast and Fortitude Valley.
Sources say the Brisbane inspector, from the Metro South police region, is deployed at the Surfers Paradise police station on Friday and Saturday nights. "He's been put there to ensure the boys (police) don't get too heavy-handed and just to generally keep tabs on things in Surfers," a source said.
Mr Atkinson said every police force had its problems. "I could never say that no Queensland police officer is corrupt and would never do anything wrong," he said. The Queensland Police Service receives about 2500 complaints a year but Mr Atkinson said the majority were spurious.
In South Brisbane, more than 220 complaints were received in 18 months, while Brisbane Central district received almost 150 in the past year. In Ipswich there was an overall increase in complaints from 2007-08 to 2008-09 (125 to 143).
Oxley District recorded 182 complaints from October 2007 to May 2009. In Wynnum District police complaints were steady at 74 in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and Pine Rivers recorded 32 complaints for 2008.
SOURCE
An inspector from Brisbane has been deployed to keep tabs on troubled Surfers Paradise police. The Courier-Mail can also reveal Gold Coast officers are the most complained about in the state, generating almost 600 complaints in the past 18 months. Figures obtained under Right To Information laws show 130 complaints related to the use of excessive force while allegations of corruption accounted for another 13 and there were nine referrals to the Crime and Misconduct Commission for investigations.
The CMC is investigating Gold Coast police over concerns that some have become too close to the nightclub scene, including possible involvement in the drug trade. About 40 officers have been subpoenaed to appear before secret hearings. Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson recently expressed concern about some officers being heavy-handed in busy nightspots such as the Gold Coast and Fortitude Valley.
Sources say the Brisbane inspector, from the Metro South police region, is deployed at the Surfers Paradise police station on Friday and Saturday nights. "He's been put there to ensure the boys (police) don't get too heavy-handed and just to generally keep tabs on things in Surfers," a source said.
Mr Atkinson said every police force had its problems. "I could never say that no Queensland police officer is corrupt and would never do anything wrong," he said. The Queensland Police Service receives about 2500 complaints a year but Mr Atkinson said the majority were spurious.
In South Brisbane, more than 220 complaints were received in 18 months, while Brisbane Central district received almost 150 in the past year. In Ipswich there was an overall increase in complaints from 2007-08 to 2008-09 (125 to 143).
Oxley District recorded 182 complaints from October 2007 to May 2009. In Wynnum District police complaints were steady at 74 in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and Pine Rivers recorded 32 complaints for 2008.
SOURCE
Gold Coast police in watchhouse logbook cover-up
POLICE have been caught falsifying watchhouse logbooks only hours before a prisoner died, a court has been told. A coroner's inquest yesterday heard how police failed to carry out routine prisoner checks and then fudged the logbook to cover their tracks.
Roy Barnes, 47, suffered a massive brain haemorrhage while he was being held at Southport watchhouse in February 2008 and died in hospital a few hours later.
During an inquest at Southport yesterday Inspector David Cole from the Ethical Standards Command said police had failed to record hourly prisoner inspections for "a period of several hours" before a constable noticed the error and wrote in the station logbook that the inspections had taken place. A district inspector had been due to visit the facility that day.
The constable later confessed her actions and was disciplined along with two other watchhouse officers on duty that night. "She made some entries that made it appear as though it (inspections) had been completed," said Insp Cole. Officers interviewed during the ethical standards investigation complained that the station had been short-staffed that night and they kept an eye on the prisoners via grainy CCTV footage, rather than making the physical inspections mandatory under police operational procedures.
Prisoner inspections had returned to normal well before Barnes was found lying semi-conscious on the floor of his cell. He was taken to hospital but died on February 12 from a brain haemorrhage. Insp Cole said there was no suggestion Barnes had been assaulted by police during his time in the watchhouse.
SOURCE
POLICE have been caught falsifying watchhouse logbooks only hours before a prisoner died, a court has been told. A coroner's inquest yesterday heard how police failed to carry out routine prisoner checks and then fudged the logbook to cover their tracks.
Roy Barnes, 47, suffered a massive brain haemorrhage while he was being held at Southport watchhouse in February 2008 and died in hospital a few hours later.
During an inquest at Southport yesterday Inspector David Cole from the Ethical Standards Command said police had failed to record hourly prisoner inspections for "a period of several hours" before a constable noticed the error and wrote in the station logbook that the inspections had taken place. A district inspector had been due to visit the facility that day.
The constable later confessed her actions and was disciplined along with two other watchhouse officers on duty that night. "She made some entries that made it appear as though it (inspections) had been completed," said Insp Cole. Officers interviewed during the ethical standards investigation complained that the station had been short-staffed that night and they kept an eye on the prisoners via grainy CCTV footage, rather than making the physical inspections mandatory under police operational procedures.
Prisoner inspections had returned to normal well before Barnes was found lying semi-conscious on the floor of his cell. He was taken to hospital but died on February 12 from a brain haemorrhage. Insp Cole said there was no suggestion Barnes had been assaulted by police during his time in the watchhouse.
SOURCE
Monday, March 15, 2010
Desk police sent on road patrol bungled laws, got in the way and almost run over
DESK cops sent to patrol Queensland roads as part of a $15 million safety strategy bungled laws, impeded their workmates and were even nearly run over themselves. Official police reports obtained under Right to Information show the campaign, which paid officers overtime and penalty rates to hit the road, was a flop.
Up to 360 officers who normally work in administrative roles were rostered on for traffic operations over Easter 2009 and the 2008-09 Christmas-New Year period under the State Government's Road Safety Initiatives Package. But Operational Performance Reviews show the initiative was so unpopular that not even the extra pay could lure extra officers. In addition, the administrative officers were not familiar with traffic laws, did not know how to operate equipment and had to be supervised. "Experienced officers were less productive as they were required to supervise others," noted a review of the 2009 Easter campaign in Oxley.
"(There was a) perceived responsibility of operational traffic staff that they were required to make up the shortfalls in results," said the Pine Rivers District report. South Brisbane district noted the "inability to cater for . . . non-qualified personnel" while Central district said "upgraded training" was needed.
A lack of enthusiasm was also observed. "Many non-operational personnel are not motivated by the additional remuneration of working on public holidays or weekends," read the Logan District review.
In the Ipswich District 35 non-operational police were available for the campaign, but only 14 participated. Only four out of 27 personnel took part in North Brisbane and 22 out of 44 turned up for their shifts in South Brisbane. A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said participation by non-operational officers was not compulsory.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the service "needed to ensure people were properly trained for their safety and the safety of others". "The police service is obviously resorting to Band-Aid measures," Mr Leavers said
A spokesman for Police Minister Neil Roberts said the funding for the RSIP had been exhausted with extra traffic officers, motorcycles and equipment announced instead. He said it would be up to the Commissioner Bob Atkinson whether the practice of using non-operational police for traffic campaigns continued.
SOURCE
DESK cops sent to patrol Queensland roads as part of a $15 million safety strategy bungled laws, impeded their workmates and were even nearly run over themselves. Official police reports obtained under Right to Information show the campaign, which paid officers overtime and penalty rates to hit the road, was a flop.
Up to 360 officers who normally work in administrative roles were rostered on for traffic operations over Easter 2009 and the 2008-09 Christmas-New Year period under the State Government's Road Safety Initiatives Package. But Operational Performance Reviews show the initiative was so unpopular that not even the extra pay could lure extra officers. In addition, the administrative officers were not familiar with traffic laws, did not know how to operate equipment and had to be supervised. "Experienced officers were less productive as they were required to supervise others," noted a review of the 2009 Easter campaign in Oxley.
"(There was a) perceived responsibility of operational traffic staff that they were required to make up the shortfalls in results," said the Pine Rivers District report. South Brisbane district noted the "inability to cater for . . . non-qualified personnel" while Central district said "upgraded training" was needed.
A lack of enthusiasm was also observed. "Many non-operational personnel are not motivated by the additional remuneration of working on public holidays or weekends," read the Logan District review.
In the Ipswich District 35 non-operational police were available for the campaign, but only 14 participated. Only four out of 27 personnel took part in North Brisbane and 22 out of 44 turned up for their shifts in South Brisbane. A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said participation by non-operational officers was not compulsory.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the service "needed to ensure people were properly trained for their safety and the safety of others". "The police service is obviously resorting to Band-Aid measures," Mr Leavers said
A spokesman for Police Minister Neil Roberts said the funding for the RSIP had been exhausted with extra traffic officers, motorcycles and equipment announced instead. He said it would be up to the Commissioner Bob Atkinson whether the practice of using non-operational police for traffic campaigns continued.
SOURCE
Friday, March 12, 2010
Gorilla cop gives very vague evidence at inquest
He doesn't remember what happened even though a guy had just died on him? One would have thought the preceding events would be seared into his brain
FORMER Palm Island policeman Chris Hurley fought back his emotions as he was asked "how Mulrunji went from a fighting, resisting man to a dead man in under 50 minutes?".
Senior-Sergeant Hurley, speaking publicly for the first time since he was acquitted of manslaughter and assault of Cameron Doomadgee in June 2007, today gave evidence in the third inquest into the nation's most controversial black death in custody.
He said he still believed he fell beside the Aboriginal father-of-one on the floor of the Palm Island watchhouse on November 19, 2004. The death led to riots a week later. "I now accept some part of my person has touched Mulrunji," Snr-Sgt Hurley told the fourth day of the inquest in Townsville.
Sen Sgt Hurley had been accused of fatally injuring Cameron Doomadgee, 36, known as Mulrunji, by "dropping a knee" into the man as he lay on the floor of the Palm Island police station, off Townsville.
The powerfully built, 203cm policeman, who had to duck to enter the courtroom, denied he ever punched or kneed the victim. In a short break, the uniformed officer stood alone at the front of the court, his eyes visibly red after a gruelling cross-examination by counsel assisting the coroner, Ralph Devlin, SC.
SOURCE
He doesn't remember what happened even though a guy had just died on him? One would have thought the preceding events would be seared into his brain
FORMER Palm Island policeman Chris Hurley fought back his emotions as he was asked "how Mulrunji went from a fighting, resisting man to a dead man in under 50 minutes?".
Senior-Sergeant Hurley, speaking publicly for the first time since he was acquitted of manslaughter and assault of Cameron Doomadgee in June 2007, today gave evidence in the third inquest into the nation's most controversial black death in custody.
He said he still believed he fell beside the Aboriginal father-of-one on the floor of the Palm Island watchhouse on November 19, 2004. The death led to riots a week later. "I now accept some part of my person has touched Mulrunji," Snr-Sgt Hurley told the fourth day of the inquest in Townsville.
Sen Sgt Hurley had been accused of fatally injuring Cameron Doomadgee, 36, known as Mulrunji, by "dropping a knee" into the man as he lay on the floor of the Palm Island police station, off Townsville.
The powerfully built, 203cm policeman, who had to duck to enter the courtroom, denied he ever punched or kneed the victim. In a short break, the uniformed officer stood alone at the front of the court, his eyes visibly red after a gruelling cross-examination by counsel assisting the coroner, Ralph Devlin, SC.
SOURCE
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Evidence 'trashed' by police: Palm Island inquest hears
Police told a witness they would "come after him" over the Palm Island death in custody as they crushed his damning statement and threw it in the trash, an inquest heard yesterday. Roy Bramwell, who was inside the Palm Island police station, yesterday told the inquest he saw Senior-Sergeant Chris Hurley "kick and punch" victim Cameron Doomadgee in a watch house scuffle.
"I saw him kick him, kick him, punch him three to five times," said Mr Bramwell, who admitted drinking more than 46 cans of full-strength beer the night before the November 19, 2004 death. "I could see he was hitting him by the door, I looked up, and saw them in the reflection of a mirror. "He had his knee on him, hitting him, moving his knee, forcing himself on him."
Mr Bramwell, who has previously been discredited as a witness with too many varying, inconsistent accounts, said he had a clear view of the action by mirror. "Hurley stood up and was saying, 'do you want more, you want more'," he told the inquest. "I told police he kicked him and all that, but he (Detective Darren Robinson) crushed it and put it in the trash. He then took me and made a second statement. "They told me if I told anyone what I saw they would come after me."
Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian Hine yesterday opened the third inquest on Palm Island into arguably the nation's most controversial Aboriginal death in custody. Mr Hine is re-examining how Doomadgee, known as Mulrunji, died inside the Palm Island jail cell less than an hour after his arrest.
Doctors found the 36-year-old, slimly-built father-of-one bled to death internally, with a ruptured portal vein, four broken ribs and his liver almost cleaved in two. They said the injuries were from "a massive compressive force more akin to a car crash and most likely a protruding knee than a punch".
In a bid to clear his name, Queensland Police Union lawyers pushed for another inquiry after the heavily-built, 203cm tall officer was acquitted of manslaughter and assault in his June 2007 trial. Sen-Sgt Hurley and his partner have reportedly booked a caesarean birth of their first child for today to allow the policeman to testify at the inquest in Townsville later this week.
Palm Islander Alfred Bonner revealed six years of frustration over the high-profile case as he was cross-examined over his evidence of how Doomadgee "sung out as he was punched". "If someone punched you, you'd be singing out," he told barrister Steve Zillman, for the Police Union.
SOURCE
Police told a witness they would "come after him" over the Palm Island death in custody as they crushed his damning statement and threw it in the trash, an inquest heard yesterday. Roy Bramwell, who was inside the Palm Island police station, yesterday told the inquest he saw Senior-Sergeant Chris Hurley "kick and punch" victim Cameron Doomadgee in a watch house scuffle.
"I saw him kick him, kick him, punch him three to five times," said Mr Bramwell, who admitted drinking more than 46 cans of full-strength beer the night before the November 19, 2004 death. "I could see he was hitting him by the door, I looked up, and saw them in the reflection of a mirror. "He had his knee on him, hitting him, moving his knee, forcing himself on him."
Mr Bramwell, who has previously been discredited as a witness with too many varying, inconsistent accounts, said he had a clear view of the action by mirror. "Hurley stood up and was saying, 'do you want more, you want more'," he told the inquest. "I told police he kicked him and all that, but he (Detective Darren Robinson) crushed it and put it in the trash. He then took me and made a second statement. "They told me if I told anyone what I saw they would come after me."
Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian Hine yesterday opened the third inquest on Palm Island into arguably the nation's most controversial Aboriginal death in custody. Mr Hine is re-examining how Doomadgee, known as Mulrunji, died inside the Palm Island jail cell less than an hour after his arrest.
Doctors found the 36-year-old, slimly-built father-of-one bled to death internally, with a ruptured portal vein, four broken ribs and his liver almost cleaved in two. They said the injuries were from "a massive compressive force more akin to a car crash and most likely a protruding knee than a punch".
In a bid to clear his name, Queensland Police Union lawyers pushed for another inquiry after the heavily-built, 203cm tall officer was acquitted of manslaughter and assault in his June 2007 trial. Sen-Sgt Hurley and his partner have reportedly booked a caesarean birth of their first child for today to allow the policeman to testify at the inquest in Townsville later this week.
Palm Islander Alfred Bonner revealed six years of frustration over the high-profile case as he was cross-examined over his evidence of how Doomadgee "sung out as he was punched". "If someone punched you, you'd be singing out," he told barrister Steve Zillman, for the Police Union.
SOURCE
Monday, March 8, 2010
Palm Island death-in-custody case reopened
I don't think there is much doubt that the big cop dropped his knee onto the black guy while the black guy was down
FORMER Palm Island policeman Chris Hurley will be the star witness in his bid to clear his name over the Mulrunji death in custody when effectively the third inquest into the November 2004 tragedy is reopened. Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian Hine today opens the week-long inquest on Palm Island, a former Aboriginal penal colony near Townsville, to re-examine how Mulrunji Doomadgee, 36, died on the floor of a jail cell.
Senior-Sergeant Hurley, acquitted of manslaughter by an all-white jury, is set down as the last of nine witnesses to give evidence into the death that led to the 2004 Palm Island riots.
Today, three Palm Islanders will testify, as lawyers for Snr-Sgt Hurley seek to overturn findings of coroner Christine Clements that he likely caused the death with a punch.
Frail elderly witness Penny Sibley, who will appear today, has repeatedly claimed she saw the policeman strike the Aboriginal hunter in the face.
The emotion-charged inquest will be streamed live by video link out of the small Palm Island courtroom for the island's 3500-strong population. Palm Island mayor Alf Lacey said a finding of accidental death would be a slap in the face for the family and islanders in their fight for justice.
Doomadgee bled to death after a tussle with the powerfully built 201cm policeman, suffering a black eye, bruised jaw, four broken ribs and a liver cleaved in two across his spine. Doctors testified the fatal injuries were more akin to those found in a car crash and most likely caused by a knee to the abdomen than a punch.
Sen-Sgt Hurley, in his trial, changed his evidence and admitted he caused the death in a complicated fall in arresting the heavily intoxicated indigenous man on a public nuisance charge. He wants the coroner's 2006 findings set aside in his fight for innocence backed by the Queensland Police Union and fellow police officers who threatened to march on Parliament in support of their besieged colleague.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission, which has indicated their report will be scathing, are yet to release findings into the botched handling of the initial police investigation.
SOURCE
I don't think there is much doubt that the big cop dropped his knee onto the black guy while the black guy was down
FORMER Palm Island policeman Chris Hurley will be the star witness in his bid to clear his name over the Mulrunji death in custody when effectively the third inquest into the November 2004 tragedy is reopened. Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian Hine today opens the week-long inquest on Palm Island, a former Aboriginal penal colony near Townsville, to re-examine how Mulrunji Doomadgee, 36, died on the floor of a jail cell.
Senior-Sergeant Hurley, acquitted of manslaughter by an all-white jury, is set down as the last of nine witnesses to give evidence into the death that led to the 2004 Palm Island riots.
Today, three Palm Islanders will testify, as lawyers for Snr-Sgt Hurley seek to overturn findings of coroner Christine Clements that he likely caused the death with a punch.
Frail elderly witness Penny Sibley, who will appear today, has repeatedly claimed she saw the policeman strike the Aboriginal hunter in the face.
The emotion-charged inquest will be streamed live by video link out of the small Palm Island courtroom for the island's 3500-strong population. Palm Island mayor Alf Lacey said a finding of accidental death would be a slap in the face for the family and islanders in their fight for justice.
Doomadgee bled to death after a tussle with the powerfully built 201cm policeman, suffering a black eye, bruised jaw, four broken ribs and a liver cleaved in two across his spine. Doctors testified the fatal injuries were more akin to those found in a car crash and most likely caused by a knee to the abdomen than a punch.
Sen-Sgt Hurley, in his trial, changed his evidence and admitted he caused the death in a complicated fall in arresting the heavily intoxicated indigenous man on a public nuisance charge. He wants the coroner's 2006 findings set aside in his fight for innocence backed by the Queensland Police Union and fellow police officers who threatened to march on Parliament in support of their besieged colleague.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission, which has indicated their report will be scathing, are yet to release findings into the botched handling of the initial police investigation.
SOURCE
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Must not call a Queensland cop "useless"
I'll say it now: Queensland cops are useless MOST of the time -- in my experience -- uselessness that extends to the level of negligence, in fact. And I would be delighted to defend that claim in court
A NEW Zealand tourist who called a Brisbane policeman "useless" for failing to give him directions has spent a night in jail. Engineer Paul O'Reilly, 24, told The Courier-Mail he was desperate to find his way to his brother's Sunshine Coast home after becoming separated from his sibling at last Saturday's Future Music Festival, at Doomben Racecourse.
O'Reilly, who had no money or a mobile phone, said he approached a police sergeant for help and was told to "go north." O'Reilly, unhappy with the officer's assistance, or lack thereof, called him one of the most "useless police in the world."
O'Reilly attempted to plead guilty in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Monday to one count of being a public nuisance. Police prosecutors told the court O'Reilly's offence was committed when he told the arresting officer: "You're the most useless police in the world. I need to get home, I come from New Zealand."
The case was adjourned after magistrate John Costello told O'Reilly he thought his behaviour did not meet the standard required to prove the charge and should get legal advice. Mr Costello appeared to be still of a similar mind today when O'Reilly returned to court and his lawyer, Kate McArthur, asked the charge be struck out entirely.
Prosecutor Karen Friedrichs said the matter had been referred to her superiors for consideration, but she was under instructions to persist with prosecuting the matter regardless. She said it was alleged O'Reilly was persistent and abusive, although he never uttered any expletives, and as such an offence had actually been committed.
Ms McArthur said her client was returning to New Zealand this weekend and wanted to resolve the issue before then.
O'Reilly only entered a plea of guilty after Mr Costello indicated that in light of the facts he had no intention of doing anything other than admonish him and impose no other penalty.
Outside court, O'Reilly said the experience had ruined a much anticipated holiday and lowered his opinion of "Australian" police. "In New Zealand we are taught to trust and respect police and seek them out for help when we are in trouble," he said.
"That is why I approached the policeman and asked for his help. I won't ever do that again -- if I am in Australia."
O'Reilly, who comes from the small New Zealand town of Otorohanga, Waikato, said he expected police, like they were in his home town, would afford the same level of respect to members of the public as they themselves rightly expected of the public.
He said while he had found regular Queenslanders to be warm, delightful people, he could not say the same for the state's law enforcers.
Source
I'll say it now: Queensland cops are useless MOST of the time -- in my experience -- uselessness that extends to the level of negligence, in fact. And I would be delighted to defend that claim in court
A NEW Zealand tourist who called a Brisbane policeman "useless" for failing to give him directions has spent a night in jail. Engineer Paul O'Reilly, 24, told The Courier-Mail he was desperate to find his way to his brother's Sunshine Coast home after becoming separated from his sibling at last Saturday's Future Music Festival, at Doomben Racecourse.
O'Reilly, who had no money or a mobile phone, said he approached a police sergeant for help and was told to "go north." O'Reilly, unhappy with the officer's assistance, or lack thereof, called him one of the most "useless police in the world."
O'Reilly attempted to plead guilty in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Monday to one count of being a public nuisance. Police prosecutors told the court O'Reilly's offence was committed when he told the arresting officer: "You're the most useless police in the world. I need to get home, I come from New Zealand."
The case was adjourned after magistrate John Costello told O'Reilly he thought his behaviour did not meet the standard required to prove the charge and should get legal advice. Mr Costello appeared to be still of a similar mind today when O'Reilly returned to court and his lawyer, Kate McArthur, asked the charge be struck out entirely.
Prosecutor Karen Friedrichs said the matter had been referred to her superiors for consideration, but she was under instructions to persist with prosecuting the matter regardless. She said it was alleged O'Reilly was persistent and abusive, although he never uttered any expletives, and as such an offence had actually been committed.
Ms McArthur said her client was returning to New Zealand this weekend and wanted to resolve the issue before then.
O'Reilly only entered a plea of guilty after Mr Costello indicated that in light of the facts he had no intention of doing anything other than admonish him and impose no other penalty.
Outside court, O'Reilly said the experience had ruined a much anticipated holiday and lowered his opinion of "Australian" police. "In New Zealand we are taught to trust and respect police and seek them out for help when we are in trouble," he said.
"That is why I approached the policeman and asked for his help. I won't ever do that again -- if I am in Australia."
O'Reilly, who comes from the small New Zealand town of Otorohanga, Waikato, said he expected police, like they were in his home town, would afford the same level of respect to members of the public as they themselves rightly expected of the public.
He said while he had found regular Queenslanders to be warm, delightful people, he could not say the same for the state's law enforcers.
Source
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Even the police boss thinks a lot of his cops are goons
POLICE Commissioner Bob Atkinson has voiced concerns police may be getting too heavy-handed in dealings with people in southeast Queensland hot spots.
In a surprise admission by Queensland's top cop, Mr Atkinson said his concerns over use of force was one of the issues he wanted to address – after his contract was extended for three years. "I worry that in some of our places like the City and Valley and Surfers Paradise where (police) are regularly dealing with large numbers of people who are intoxicated and can be violent, some of our people are perhaps becoming a bit desensitised in terms of the way they handle people," he said.
"I do think we need to improve the way we engage with the public. We're not talking about large numbers but I think that's an important issue for us."
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said he had discussed the problem with the commissioner and had offered to work with the QPS to introduce strategies to assist officers. "It should be remembered, that these officers deal with an extremely high volume of offenders and are often out-numbered due to low levels of staffing," he said.
"It is clear that where physical and verbal conflict is common place, humans can become less aware of the impact of their own actions and police are only human in this regard."
Mr Atkinson said part of the problem was the increasing level of aggression towards police, generally by people using amphetamines. "The characteristics of amphetamines are they make people aggressive, angry, very alert and in some cases extraordinarily physically strong," he said. "We are seeing over and over again behaviour we believe, without question, is consistent with amphetamine use."
The Commissioner named ethical standards, slippage and "client service standards" as other areas of concern for him. He admitted allegations of serious corruption among some police on the Gold Coast had taken their toll on morale.
The three-year extension to his contract will make Mr Atkinson Queensland's second-longest serving police commissioner after D. T. Sandler in the 19th century. Mr Atkinson said he was confident he had the support of the vast majority of officers. "If I didn't think so, I would walk away immediately."
President of the Commissioned Police Officers Association, Detective Superintendent Tony Cross, said Mr Atkinson had led the service through some difficult times. "We're confident he'll do the same again," he said.
Source
POLICE Commissioner Bob Atkinson has voiced concerns police may be getting too heavy-handed in dealings with people in southeast Queensland hot spots.
In a surprise admission by Queensland's top cop, Mr Atkinson said his concerns over use of force was one of the issues he wanted to address – after his contract was extended for three years. "I worry that in some of our places like the City and Valley and Surfers Paradise where (police) are regularly dealing with large numbers of people who are intoxicated and can be violent, some of our people are perhaps becoming a bit desensitised in terms of the way they handle people," he said.
"I do think we need to improve the way we engage with the public. We're not talking about large numbers but I think that's an important issue for us."
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said he had discussed the problem with the commissioner and had offered to work with the QPS to introduce strategies to assist officers. "It should be remembered, that these officers deal with an extremely high volume of offenders and are often out-numbered due to low levels of staffing," he said.
"It is clear that where physical and verbal conflict is common place, humans can become less aware of the impact of their own actions and police are only human in this regard."
Mr Atkinson said part of the problem was the increasing level of aggression towards police, generally by people using amphetamines. "The characteristics of amphetamines are they make people aggressive, angry, very alert and in some cases extraordinarily physically strong," he said. "We are seeing over and over again behaviour we believe, without question, is consistent with amphetamine use."
The Commissioner named ethical standards, slippage and "client service standards" as other areas of concern for him. He admitted allegations of serious corruption among some police on the Gold Coast had taken their toll on morale.
The three-year extension to his contract will make Mr Atkinson Queensland's second-longest serving police commissioner after D. T. Sandler in the 19th century. Mr Atkinson said he was confident he had the support of the vast majority of officers. "If I didn't think so, I would walk away immediately."
President of the Commissioned Police Officers Association, Detective Superintendent Tony Cross, said Mr Atkinson had led the service through some difficult times. "We're confident he'll do the same again," he said.
Source
Monday, March 1, 2010
Drunken dickless Tracy
A JUNIOR police constable has been stood down after allegedly driving with more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit on Saturday.
The first-year constable from Metropolitan North Region was stopped at Bellbowrie, in Brisbane's west, for a random breath test.
Police said the woman blew 0.109. She has been stood down and will face Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 30.
Officers convicted of drink-driving can be dismissed under new policy introduced last year.
Source
A JUNIOR police constable has been stood down after allegedly driving with more than twice the legal blood alcohol limit on Saturday.
The first-year constable from Metropolitan North Region was stopped at Bellbowrie, in Brisbane's west, for a random breath test.
Police said the woman blew 0.109. She has been stood down and will face Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 30.
Officers convicted of drink-driving can be dismissed under new policy introduced last year.
Source
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Drug tests on Queensland Police at a low rate
DESPITE rising concerns about skyrocketing drug use in the Queensland's Police Service, only one in 250 officers are screened for substance abuse each year.
Data provided by Queensland Police shows 128 drug tests have been conducted on officers since 2006 – and all returned negative results.
Although 10 per cent of all serving police officers undergo annual random alcohol tests, about 40 out of the state's 10,000 police force are screened each year for drug abuse. In 2006 just six officers were tested for drugs.
The Queensland Police Alcohol and Drug Awareness Unit only tests officers for drugs in response to a "critical incident".
However, Gold Coast lawyers who have represented convicted drug suppliers, say more random drug testing is needed in the police force, especially on younger officers who mix in the nightclub scene.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has indicated he would not support the introduction of random drug testing of police.
A senior lawyer, who asked not to be named, claimed human growth hormones and steroid use was prolific among some Gold Coast officers.
"You have these young men who are super fit. Some of them are using the drugs in the gym and supplying them," he claimed
Human growth hormone abuse is fuelled by a culture of "super masculinity" and the need for some young cops to "beef up" their bodies to protect them from the increasing threat of physical violence on the beat, it is claimed.
Gaven MP Alexander Douglas, a GP who has previously encountered steroid use when working in prisons, said the illegal use of the drug led to violent outbursts and irrational thinking.
"Steroids are being used by younger men and women, strangely enough, to make themselves look beautiful," Dr Douglas said.
"From the use of Botox and amount of surgery going on, people are body obsessed. There is a culture of this super masculinity. But I think some of it (for police officers) is driven by legitimate concerns. On the Gold Coast, policing is a lot different to Brisbane. People will have a go at them."
Dr Douglas, who has treated some Gold Coast officers for injuries, said police were working in a tough physical environment.
Source
DESPITE rising concerns about skyrocketing drug use in the Queensland's Police Service, only one in 250 officers are screened for substance abuse each year.
Data provided by Queensland Police shows 128 drug tests have been conducted on officers since 2006 – and all returned negative results.
Although 10 per cent of all serving police officers undergo annual random alcohol tests, about 40 out of the state's 10,000 police force are screened each year for drug abuse. In 2006 just six officers were tested for drugs.
The Queensland Police Alcohol and Drug Awareness Unit only tests officers for drugs in response to a "critical incident".
However, Gold Coast lawyers who have represented convicted drug suppliers, say more random drug testing is needed in the police force, especially on younger officers who mix in the nightclub scene.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has indicated he would not support the introduction of random drug testing of police.
A senior lawyer, who asked not to be named, claimed human growth hormones and steroid use was prolific among some Gold Coast officers.
"You have these young men who are super fit. Some of them are using the drugs in the gym and supplying them," he claimed
Human growth hormone abuse is fuelled by a culture of "super masculinity" and the need for some young cops to "beef up" their bodies to protect them from the increasing threat of physical violence on the beat, it is claimed.
Gaven MP Alexander Douglas, a GP who has previously encountered steroid use when working in prisons, said the illegal use of the drug led to violent outbursts and irrational thinking.
"Steroids are being used by younger men and women, strangely enough, to make themselves look beautiful," Dr Douglas said.
"From the use of Botox and amount of surgery going on, people are body obsessed. There is a culture of this super masculinity. But I think some of it (for police officers) is driven by legitimate concerns. On the Gold Coast, policing is a lot different to Brisbane. People will have a go at them."
Dr Douglas, who has treated some Gold Coast officers for injuries, said police were working in a tough physical environment.
Source
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Police reel again as apparent joke misfires
AN apparent practical joke has backfired on police after a Supreme Court judge yesterday demanded answers over why a junior officer in a major criminal investigation declared in a statement that he was attracted to "little boys".
Justice Roslyn Atkinson voiced serious concerns and disapproval over the contents of the statement that slipped undetected past police, prosecutors, defence lawyers and the lower magistrates courts – before reaching her in Queensland's highest criminal trial jurisdiction.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson launched an internal investigation yesterday, referring the matter to the Ethical Standards Command. He said the service would formally apologise to the court.
During yesterday's brief hearing in Brisbane, an angry Justice Atkinson said the statement was totally inappropriate and wanted answers on what action would be taken.
Prosecutors told the court the matter had been referred to senior officers within the Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Courier-Mail yesterday sighted a copy of the constable's sworn, signed statement, the opening line of which reads: "I am a constable of police stationed at the Logan Central Police Station. My registered (police) number is (withheld) and I like little boys."
Details of the actual case, which involve serious criminal charges which carry maximum terms of life imprisonment, or the name of the officer involved, cannot yet be revealed.
The trial is listed to go before a jury in the very near future.
Several senior lawyers and police yesterday said it was likely the constable's statement was typed by a more senior investigator and that he did not read it thoroughly before signing it. It is understood the officer did not play a major role in the investigation.
A Department of Justice spokesman said the DPP had declined to comment on the matter.
The incident delivers yet another blow to the QPS's southeast region and follows Thursday's report in The Courier-Mail that Gold Coast police were being hauled before secret "star chamber" hearings as the Crime and Misconduct Commission stepped up its corruption probe into the Glitter Strip's nightclub and drug scene.
In these hearings, the commission uses its coercive powers to force answers from witnesses under threat of contempt charges and jail sentences.
Source
AN apparent practical joke has backfired on police after a Supreme Court judge yesterday demanded answers over why a junior officer in a major criminal investigation declared in a statement that he was attracted to "little boys".
Justice Roslyn Atkinson voiced serious concerns and disapproval over the contents of the statement that slipped undetected past police, prosecutors, defence lawyers and the lower magistrates courts – before reaching her in Queensland's highest criminal trial jurisdiction.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson launched an internal investigation yesterday, referring the matter to the Ethical Standards Command. He said the service would formally apologise to the court.
During yesterday's brief hearing in Brisbane, an angry Justice Atkinson said the statement was totally inappropriate and wanted answers on what action would be taken.
Prosecutors told the court the matter had been referred to senior officers within the Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Courier-Mail yesterday sighted a copy of the constable's sworn, signed statement, the opening line of which reads: "I am a constable of police stationed at the Logan Central Police Station. My registered (police) number is (withheld) and I like little boys."
Details of the actual case, which involve serious criminal charges which carry maximum terms of life imprisonment, or the name of the officer involved, cannot yet be revealed.
The trial is listed to go before a jury in the very near future.
Several senior lawyers and police yesterday said it was likely the constable's statement was typed by a more senior investigator and that he did not read it thoroughly before signing it. It is understood the officer did not play a major role in the investigation.
A Department of Justice spokesman said the DPP had declined to comment on the matter.
The incident delivers yet another blow to the QPS's southeast region and follows Thursday's report in The Courier-Mail that Gold Coast police were being hauled before secret "star chamber" hearings as the Crime and Misconduct Commission stepped up its corruption probe into the Glitter Strip's nightclub and drug scene.
In these hearings, the commission uses its coercive powers to force answers from witnesses under threat of contempt charges and jail sentences.
Source
Monday, February 15, 2010
Police watchdog (CMC) getting sleepy
SEX, drugs, nightclubs and allegations of misbehaving police - The Courier Mail's recent revelations conjure a sense of deja vu for anyone who recalls Queensland in the pre-Fitzgerald 1980s.
Then the focus was on Fortitude Valley. Now "sin city" has shifted to the Gold Coast. When combined with revelations from the Crime and Misconduct Commission's Dangerous Liaisons report from last year, Queenslanders could be forgiven for thinking that the state has indeed gone back to the bad old days, as some commentators suggest.
But while any police misconduct is a worry, there are some major differences between the earlier corruption and the current problems. These differences result from reforms following the 1989 Fitzgerald report. Some of these reforms have been diluted or wound back, but enough remain to make Queensland policing in 2010 fundamentally different from what came before the inquiry.
But, as anti-corruption commissioner Tony Fitzgerald noted last year, vigilance is needed to maintain the reform agenda in the face of complacency and self-interest....
But the area of misconduct remains a problem. On the positive side, the once non-existent accountability has been replaced by a plethora of government agencies overseeing what police do, including the QPS Ethical Standards Command, the CMC, the Ombudsman, Misconduct Tribunals, and parliamentary committees.
Numbers of complaints against police are tracked and analysed, and the corruption that was once endemic and actively supported by senior officers and compliant politicians is now more localised, largely in problem areas like tourist and entertainment zones.
However, in recent years there has been an increasing reversion to police investigating police, as more complaints are referred back to the QPS to deal with.
The CMC's own audits reveal that one in five of these investigations is unsatisfactory and, despite this, there appear to be fewer CMC audits taking place. In addition, investigations seem to be slow and cumbersome. The CMC and QPS argue that a mature organisation should be responsible for its own integrity but experience from around the world suggests that police require close supervision and independent monitoring.
The 2009 Dangerous Liaisons report, together with the recent allegations, suggest that both the CMC and QPS need to ensure that misconduct processes retain public confidence, or risk having all police regarded as potentially suspect.
More HERE
SEX, drugs, nightclubs and allegations of misbehaving police - The Courier Mail's recent revelations conjure a sense of deja vu for anyone who recalls Queensland in the pre-Fitzgerald 1980s.
Then the focus was on Fortitude Valley. Now "sin city" has shifted to the Gold Coast. When combined with revelations from the Crime and Misconduct Commission's Dangerous Liaisons report from last year, Queenslanders could be forgiven for thinking that the state has indeed gone back to the bad old days, as some commentators suggest.
But while any police misconduct is a worry, there are some major differences between the earlier corruption and the current problems. These differences result from reforms following the 1989 Fitzgerald report. Some of these reforms have been diluted or wound back, but enough remain to make Queensland policing in 2010 fundamentally different from what came before the inquiry.
But, as anti-corruption commissioner Tony Fitzgerald noted last year, vigilance is needed to maintain the reform agenda in the face of complacency and self-interest....
But the area of misconduct remains a problem. On the positive side, the once non-existent accountability has been replaced by a plethora of government agencies overseeing what police do, including the QPS Ethical Standards Command, the CMC, the Ombudsman, Misconduct Tribunals, and parliamentary committees.
Numbers of complaints against police are tracked and analysed, and the corruption that was once endemic and actively supported by senior officers and compliant politicians is now more localised, largely in problem areas like tourist and entertainment zones.
However, in recent years there has been an increasing reversion to police investigating police, as more complaints are referred back to the QPS to deal with.
The CMC's own audits reveal that one in five of these investigations is unsatisfactory and, despite this, there appear to be fewer CMC audits taking place. In addition, investigations seem to be slow and cumbersome. The CMC and QPS argue that a mature organisation should be responsible for its own integrity but experience from around the world suggests that police require close supervision and independent monitoring.
The 2009 Dangerous Liaisons report, together with the recent allegations, suggest that both the CMC and QPS need to ensure that misconduct processes retain public confidence, or risk having all police regarded as potentially suspect.
More HERE
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Police officer stood down
A POLICE constable from the North Coast Region has been stood down pending the outcome of an Ethical Standards Command investigation.
The stand-down relates to allegations that the officer made inappropriate use of police service documents.
A police statement this afternoon said the man, 42, would continue to work in a non-operational role while the investigation into the incident is finalised.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission has been advised of the incident, the QPS said.
Source
A POLICE constable from the North Coast Region has been stood down pending the outcome of an Ethical Standards Command investigation.
The stand-down relates to allegations that the officer made inappropriate use of police service documents.
A police statement this afternoon said the man, 42, would continue to work in a non-operational role while the investigation into the incident is finalised.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission has been advised of the incident, the QPS said.
Source
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