The decision to disband a specialist domestic violence unit within the Queensland Police Service will leave vulnerable women at risk, the Labor opposition claims, but the QPS insists the move will divert resources to where they are most needed.
The Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Command was established after the 2022 commission of inquiry into the service’s response to the widespread issue.
Assistant commissioner Rhys Wildman said the DFVVPC’s operational support unit – a team of a senior sergeant and 14 sergeants – would be disbanded, with resources instead going to the front line.
It came after findings from a 100-day review into police operations, handed down last July, that the QPS had experienced significant “mission creep” with officers increasingly tasked with non-core functions, including domestic and family violence case management.
Wildman is overseeing the 100-day review implementation program.
“The Queensland Police Service, we believe, is at a different place now than it was 3½ years ago,” he said.
“We still have work to do – still have work to do – so now we’re looking at the next phase of how we can continue the momentum of change.
“The 100-day review is about change. It’s about setting the organisation up going forward as a whole, not just one part. It’s making sure that as a whole, we deliver the best we can for Queensland.”
Wildman said the operational support unit was simply no longer needed, as the QPS had “matured” since 2022, with more sergeants on the ground across the state.
Shadow minister for women Shannon Fentiman said the decision was at odds with the commission of inquiry recommendations.
“I don’t care how you spin this – the fact that there will no longer be a dedicated casework operational support unit for domestic and family violence will leave victims at risk,” she said on Sunday.
“It’s not just me saying that – the domestic and family violence sector that works incredibly hard with women and children escaping violence, are the ones calling this out and saying this will put women at risk.”
Fentiman said she was particularly concerned about women in rural and regional Queensland.
“Those small rural stations – through no fault of their own – may not have the dedicated specialist DV support,” she said.
“It was this unit that they would ring 24 hours, seven days a week for expert advice. It was an oversight unit providing casework support.”
Speaking on behalf of the Crisafulli government, Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said combatting domestic violence was “front of mind” and high on its agenda.
“We’ve taken meaningful steps to ensure that we give the police the tools that they need to be able to keep our community safe,” he said.
“Whether it’s 588 new police officers on the beat here in Queensland, providing them with the laws that they need and the tools that they need to be able to do their job, police are better prepared now to be able to ensure they keep their keep the community safe.”
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