Facebook group to be closed following racist and homophobic comments by Queensland police officers

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The Queensland Police Commissioner has confirmed that the Ethics Unit is investigating racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments in a private Facebook group linked to the police, saying “it frankly exceeds belief.”

Key points: Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says a “minority” of officers do “unacceptable things”. She says the Ethical Standards Command is investigating and that action will be taken if necessary. had no voice “

Speaking on Tuesday, Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was “extraordinarily important” that the behavior be reported early and investigated so that authorities can take action if necessary.

The page, named Defend the Blue, had around 3,600 members across the country, including around 1,700 current and former Queensland police officers, Ms Carroll said.

Yesterday, Commissioner Carroll emailed officers expressing concerns about online behavior.

The group was sighted by ABC, but at least 400 people have stopped following the page since this morning.

The CBA has also learned that some members have since deleted their comments on the page.

“A majority of people are here for the right reasons,” said Commissioner Carroll.

“However, in some of the comments I’ve seen recently, it’s libelous, it’s concerning and I think it’s frankly beyond belief.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll called the online comments “disappointing.” (

ABC News: Chris Gillette

)

“There is a minority who say and do very unacceptable things,” said the commissioner.

“There are racist comments, there are homophobic comments and these do not correspond to our values ​​or the expectations of the community.

“I expect a professional organization to serve its community well.

“This site, its administrators and some of the people on it and the pseudonyms they use, will be investigated and if disciplinary action is to be taken, it will be taken.”

Complaints about “growing comments”

Commissioner Carroll confirmed that she knew the identity of the group administrator and that the Ethical Standards Command was handling the investigation.

An image posted on the private Facebook group. (

Facebook

)

“I expect that in the not too distant future, we will be talking to people,” she said.

“However, this is a closed site, we have some work to do in terms of investigation, and it will be done.

“There are people who have come forward and complaints have been filed, especially in recent days due to escalating comments.

“It’s disappointing, I think the public expects more of us from an organization.”

One of the messages seen by the ABC shows a blue line crossing the text that read “we the unappreciated must do the unthinkable and see the unthinkable to protect the ungrateful”.

In a statement posted to the group on Monday, the administrator told subscribers of the page that it would be closed within 24 hours.

The administrator said the page was created to support Agents, particularly following the death of Senior Agent Dave Masters. (

AAP Image: Dan Peled

)

“It has come to my attention that there may have been comments recently about the management and level of government support for late brother Dave Masters,” the post read, referring to an officer. senior police officer who was killed in a fatal accident. hit and run.

“Some comments may or may not conform to the service’s code of conduct.”

A group created to support “the blue family”

The administrator added that he had not had time to review all of the comments made by group members.

“I created this group for a small group of friends (sic) that I work with and know from working in the Blue Family,” the post said.

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“I am very proud of how this group was able to support the officers in need, the officers feeling that they had no voice or that they could speak out about issues affecting them with our work.”

The administrator also said the group was able to “raise awareness and support Zach and the Rolfe family”, and also bring the “blue family” closer together.

Northern Territory Police Officer Zachary Rolfe is charged with the murder of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in the remote community of Yuendumu in November 2019, and is due to stand trial later this year.

“I am going to close this site, it must be clear,” the post said.

“At no time has this group been named or humiliated for violations. But as has been the case from day one, the best interests of the Blue Family are my number one priority.”

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