The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has finalised its response to the recommendations made in the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) report of 10 December 2024, 'Strengthening the Service: Independent review of workplace equality in the Queensland Police Service'.
The QHRC review encompassed research, information requests, and consultations with QPS members. The review focused on the recruitment and retention of women, First Nations, and culturally diverse members. It aimed to gain an understanding of structural drivers of discrimination and identify systemic factors that will enable change.
Since the report's release, the QPS has carefully considered each of the 36 recommendations and has engaged in thorough consultations with relevant stakeholders to establish a QPS position on each recommendation.
The QPS can confirm that work contributing to the delivery of several of these recommendations is already underway.
Most recommendations have been accepted or partially accepted, with some contingent on securing appropriate resourcing, both human and financial, to ensure successful implementation within the specified timeframes.
Where recommendations are unable to be progressed, the proposed work is either considered out of scope, the intent can be delivered through other means, or there are significant impediments to making progress at this time.
Additionally, some of the recommendations align with ongoing work resulting from the Commission of Inquiry into QPS responses to domestic and family violence.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly, who led the QPS's involvement in the review, said the Service was thankful for the work and dedication of the QHRC review team in compiling the recommendations.
"I acknowledge Commissioner Scott McDougall and his team at the QHRC for the collaborative manner in which they approached this review," Acting Deputy Commissioner Kelly said.
"I also want to thank the QHRC for agreeing to a two-week extension of our response in light of Commissioner Gollschewski's sudden absence and our response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred."
Acting Deputy Commissioner Kelly acknowledged that while it may take some time to implement the accepted or partially accepted recommendations, the QPS is committed to driving meaningful change and striving to become a more inclusive organisation that better reflects the diversity of our community.
"While I am proud of the work that our officers and members conduct daily, we can always strive to be a better organisation than we were the day before," Acting Deputy Commissioner Kelly said.
"While culture change takes time, every step we take drives us closer to building a safer, more inclusive police service that Queenslanders can trust and be proud of.
"The QPS is dedicated to workplace equality. We want to ensure that our workforce is not only supported but feels supported, and our goal is to attract individuals who reflect the community we serve."
The full QPS response to each recommendation can be found here: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/qps-diversity-and-inclusion-review
