Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service response to domestic and family violence provided to government

The Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service (QPS) responses to domestic and family violence has provided its report to the Queensland Government today following a five-month inquiry.

The Commissioner, Her Honour Judge Deborah Richards, provided the report to the Premier and Minister for the Olympics, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Women and for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman and the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, The Honourable Mark Ryan earlier today.

The Commission examined Queensland policing responses to domestic and family violence. Under the terms of reference, the Commission focussed on:

• whether there is, and if so, the extent and nature of, any cultural issues within Queensland Police Service that negatively affects police investigations of domestic and family violence
• if there are any cultural issues, whether these cultural issues have contributed to the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system
• the capability, capacity and structure of Queensland Police Service to respond to domestic and family violence, and
• the adequacy of the current conduct and complaints handling processes against police officers.

The Commission of Inquiry received more than 820 submissions, including 365 from current and former QPS members and more than 400 from victim-survivors and others impacted by domestic and family violence. Submissions from organisations, government bodies and experts that have provided their consent to publish are now available on the Commission’s website.

The Commission held several weeks of hearings in Brisbane and regional Queensland, hearing evidence from more than 75 witnesses. Transcripts, statements and reports from experts are available on the Commission’s website.

For more information about the Commission visit: www.qpsdfvinquiry.qld.gov.au.

As the report has been provided to the Queensland Government, all media inquiries regarding the release of the report should be directed to: policemedia@police.qld.gov.au.