Top cop recalls attack from ‘sexual predator’ colleague at DV inquiry

The state’s Police Commissioner has broken down as she gave evidence about being sexually assaulted and harassed early in her career.
Katarina Carroll today returned to the witness box to give evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service culture and responses to domestic and family violence.
It was there she revealed she had been the victim of sexual harassment at the hands of colleagues during the 1980s and 1990s and that she’d made complaints about some, but not all incidents.
Press PLAY below to hear more on Katarina Carroll’s evidence
The inquiry was provided with data showcasing 1676 complaints made against 738 members of the QPS, relating to complaints from between June 2020 and June 2022.
The complaints included an alleged threat to break into a colleague’s home and rape her, as well as a number of reports of unsolicited images of a sexual nature being sent to female staff.
Bill McDonald said he was “loathe to criticise” Ms Carroll, or police management as a whole, but acknowledged similar allegations would see “instant dismissal” in other workplaces.
“What’s the answer here?” he asked. “Do they need new leadership, or is it something she’s inherited? Who does the buck stop with here; the department or the Commissioner?”
“Given the experiences she’s had, sadly, make her well-qualified to be in that chair, to try and iron out and fix the problem.”
Press PLAY below to hear Bill’s comments
Image: 9News