Qld cops' Facebook page probed over racism
Queensland's deputy police commissioner says there will be consequences for any officers who have done the wrong thing in a private Facebook group being investigated for sexist, racist and homophobic posts.
Only serving and former Queensland police officers are allowed to join the the Defend the Blue Facebook page, which has 3500 members, The Australian reports.
The page was created by a senior serving officer one year ago and has a number of posts criticising the Black Lives Matter movement and supporting Northern Territory Police Constable Zach Rolfe, who's on trial for the alleged murder of Indigenous man Kumanjayi Walker.
Some of the controversial posts also criticise Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and other state government MPs.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has ordered an investigation into the page and urged "passive members" who have not posted to leave.
"The content brought to my attention is incredibly concerning, disappointing and definitely does not reflect the values of our organisation or the majority of our people,'' she wrote in an email reported by The Australian.
"Due to the nature and content of the posts, I must investigate and take any action appropriate to cease the continued publication of this highly inappropriate and offensive material."
Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the force was disappointed "as an organisation" about the existence of the Facebook page.
He said any officers found to have done anything wrong would face the same consequences as any member of the public would.
"That matter is under investigation," Mr Gollschewski told reporters.
"But I'm happy to say here that we expect our police officers to be completely professional and appropriate at all times and anyone that has done the wrong thing can expect exactly what I say about the community: do the right thing, otherwise it's consequences."
It's unclear whether the investigation's findings or any disciplinary action taken against the group's members will be made public as Queensland Police media has not responded to AAP's queries about the probe.
Mr Gollschewski wouldn't comment on whether the page reflected a deeper cultural issue for the Queensland Police Service's 12,000 officers.
"What it says is that like any organisation we have challenges with some of our employees from time to time, and we need to address them," he said.
