Cultural issues at the Queensland Police Service (QPS) are affecting its response to domestic violence. 

Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Codd, the head of Queensland's domestic violence and vulnerable persons command, has spoken to a commission of inquiry examining the police response to domestic and family violence (DV) cases.

The inquiry has exposed issues including officers avoiding DV call-outs, showing “disinterest” when attending call-outs, conducting “insufficient investigations” and misidentification of the victims and perpetrators.

Assistant Commissioner Codd said the evidence heard in the public hearings so far shows that “there are significant issues of police culture at play here that need to be addressed”. 

“We may have some members, albeit I hope very few, who do have some deeply misogynistic attitudes,” he said. 

“I do accept that there are significant areas of concern that have been raised … that certainly will require us to look … beyond just isolated incidents.

“There's very clearly in my view … pockets of issues of poor performance … behaviours and attitudes across our organisation - aspects of culture that are impacting on our performance of our duty in DV.

“I certainly accept that the evidence provided has highlighted a range of concerning aspects of culture.

“It's far from, in my humble opinion, the majority.

“But that doesn't matter to a point, because whilst there's still victims and people who need our help … [there's a need for] focus and improvement.

“I do accept that there are significant areas of concern … that certainly will require us to look beyond just isolated incidents. There's been too many consistencies in too many places.”

Assistant Commissioner Codd maintained that he did not believe cultural issues were “widespread” or “systemic” within the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

“I'd avoid the term 'systemic' because that suggests it's absolutely through every part of our organisation,” he said.

“I guess the observation I'd like to make though is the term about 'widespread' or 'endemic' that's tied to it.

“I'm wary that almost every one of the witnesses, or certainly a number [of them,] … also made the point that it wasn't their experience with every officer.”

In Queensland, domestic violence strangulation has increased from 1,060 reported occurrences in the 2016/2017 financial year to 2,145 in 2022/2023, overall domestic violence reports climbed from 89,458 in the 2016/2017 financial year to 138,551 in 2022/2023, and breaches of domestic violence orders (DVOs) increased from 25,771 in the 2016/2017 financial year to 46,601 in 2022/2023.

“There's been a significant increase there but, by the same token, it is perhaps a measure of us being better at identifying them,” Assistant Commissioner Codd told the inquiry.

He had previously stated that the police service is struggling to keep up with demand,and that officers are overwhelmed, fatigued and reporting high levels of burnout and psychological distress.

The QPS says it will work with the inquiry to “ensure that organisational values, standards of practice and responsibilities are being maintained and, where the opportunity arises, enhanced”, but will not comment on specific issues raised during the hearings. 

The inquiry is due to hand down its final report in October.