Police Discipline report adds to need for a royal commission

The Queensland Greens today responded to the news that the CMC had repeatedly appealed decisions of the Police Misconduct Tribunal because their disciplinary decisions were too light, by again calling for a royal commission into events involving the police and Palm Island.

'Only a royal commission can clear the air of concerns over police bias in favour of their own and the severity of their treatment of Indigenous residents of Palm Island,' Queensland Greens spokesperson Libby Connors said today.

'When the CMC objects to the Queensland Police Service being too soft on police, it is time for a fuller investigation.

'The CMC itself has been extraordinarily laid-back in its response to complaints involving Snr Sgt Hurley.

It has been reported that the CMC had dismissed up to thirty complaints about Snr Sgt Hurley.

'Despite a series of Aboriginal complaints over Hurley's use of excessive force, in December 2007 it recommended merely that Snr Sgt Hurley undergo counselling.'

'This was despite the fact that the CMC had found that Hurley failed to file a traffic accident report after he ran over a woman's foot, tried to influence the treating doctor and misreported the woman's injuries to police.'

'How can the residents of Queensland have any faith in the Queensland police service's relations with the Indigenous community given this litany of failings?  It is time for a royal commission.'



Contact: Libby Connors 0429 487 110