The Queensland Police Service (QPS) intends to disband a specialist unit dedicated to supporting domestic and family violence (DFV) cases statewide. The QPS confirmed on Friday that it would cease operation of the DFV and vulnerable persons command "operational support unit". Officers from the unit are to be redeployed to local districts.
Rationale for Change
The QPS stated that these decisions are part of an organizational change following a 100-day review. The review included comments indicating that:
domestic violence case management was not considered "core" police business.
The QPS asserts that process improvements since a previous inquiry have "addressed many of the issues that previously required centralised oversight."
Concerns from Frontline Workers
Frontline workers informed Guardian Australia that they were notified of the decision last week. They described the unit as:
"invaluable" to the sector and crucial for inter-agency information sharing and ensuring timely responses to DFV concerns.
Workers expressed concern about the potential effect on victim safety, particularly for women in regional and remote areas.
Background and Context
A 2022 inquiry into cultural issues within the QPS found that:
attitudes of misogyny, sexism, and racism were "largely unchecked," affecting officer responses to victim-survivors.
The recent 100-day review also identified that the "perceived primacy" of family violence contributed significantly to the police workload.
QPS Statement
The QPS stated that the 100-day review provides an "evidence based roadmap" to strengthen frontline policing and create a more responsive organization. The realignment of components within the DFV and vulnerable persons command into other organizational areas is intended to enhance both the strategic and operational response to domestic and family violence by optimally positioning resources and expertise.