Queensland Police Service Commissioner, Katarina Carroll, has today delivered an apology and statement of regret to the state’s LGBTIQ+ community and past and present LGBTIQ+ QPS members, for historical mistreatment.
Last year the QPS and committee of Brisbane Pride Incorporated committed to collaborate on the historic apology.
Commissioner Carroll said the QPS was proud that over the past 30 years it had built an emerging and positive relationship between the organisation and LGBTIQ+ communities.
She said the partnership was made possible by both the dedicated members of the QPS and the LGBTIQ+ communities, who strived to cultivate a new era of respect that transcended the past.
“We must acknowledge for much of its history, the QPS inflicted profound pain upon Queensland’s LGBTIQ+ people by enforcing laws that criminalised homosexual activity between consenting adults,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“As you would appreciate, it has been an extremely emotional and challenging time.”
“To all those directly and indirectly impacted by the discrimination and prejudice from these laws, which were enforced by the QPS, I am sorry for this profound hurt and pain.”
“I am also sorry to those within our own organisation who experienced discrimination and prejudice.”
In recognising the milestone, Commissioner Carroll said the monumental progress of the QPS in recent years reflects a better and more representative policing organisation in Queensland.
“Discrimination towards LGBTIQ+ people is not acceptable and the QPS will continue to work to eliminate it,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“I recognise today as an important milestone in the history of the QPS.”
“It is a significant step in our journey toward a fully inclusive and contemporary police service. I will ensure the QPS continues to build meaningful relationships with the LGBTIQ+ community based on trust and mutual respect.”
In the Commissioner’s official statement, she said she hoped that through the apology and statement of regret, “we can begin the next chapter and build upon the monumental progress of recent years”
“We may not always get everything right, but discrimination towards LGBTIQ+ people is not acceptable and the Queensland Police Service will continue to work to eliminate it.
“The future between us is bright, and I look forward to continuing to work with your communities to build an inclusive and representative policing service you can be proud of,” the Commissioner said.
