Queensland Police employees have made dozens of claims for compensation, revealed in documents released under Right to Information.

Media investigations have uncovered at least 82 claims involving allegations of negative workplace behaviours and bullying in the Queensland Police Service made to WorkCover since January 2013.

Police Union president Ian Leavers admitted his organisation had received “many reports” of negative workplace behaviours.

“While some police report bullying in the workplace, most police are reticent to come forward and make a complaint because of the perception it could affect their careers and limit their chance for promotion or cause reprisals against them,” he said.

“Often police in senior positions engage in bullying behaviours because they themselves are suffering PTSD or some other type of illness caused by policing itself so we are working hard to break the cycle.”

Mr Leavers said the union and the QPS were focused on the health, safety and wellbeing of officers and their families.

“For the first time, officers and their families are being consulted about what they believe is required to ensure their psychological wellbeing, and a strategy will be developed based on their feedback,” he said.

The QPS has also conceded that incidents of negative workplace behaviour are concerning.

“With more than 15,000 officers and staff, the QPS is a large and diverse workforce and from time to time negative workplace behaviours will arise, however, are not tolerated,” he said.

The QPS pointed out that allegations of workplace bullying and negative behaviours have declined over the past five years.