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Senior cop placed on leave after inappropriate outburst during police conference

Carly Douglas and Madeleine AchenzaNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

A top Queensland cop is on leave after it was revealed he made an inappropriate joke at a police conference.

Queensland Police have confirmed that chief superintendent Ray Rohweder is now on leave after comments he made in March were the subject of evidence at an inquiry on Thursday.

The incident occurred when a master of ceremonies joked that a cut on his face was the result of a “rough promotional process”.

Superintendent Ray Rohweder called out from the audience, “did she shut her legs on you?”, the inquiry into Queensland Police’s response to family violence heard.

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Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor (left) and Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder have been revealed as the two top cops who made inappropriate comments. News Corp Australia
Camera IconDeputy Commissioner Paul Taylor (left) and Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder have been revealed as the two top cops who made inappropriate comments. News Corp Australia Credit: News Corp Australia

Counsel assisting the inquiry Ruth O’Gorman asked police commissioner Katarina Carroll, who was giving evidence on Thursday, what she thought the joke had meant.

“Objectively speaking, the premise of that joke must have been, mustn't it, that the male master of ceremonies was going through a promotional process, during the course of which a more senior female police officer either encouraged or required him to perform cunnilingus on her, during the course of which he sustained a cut requiring stitches to his face?” Ms O’Gorman asked.

“That’s definitely what it implies, yes … it’s deeply disrespectful and it is misogynist,” Ms Carroll replied.

The inquiry heard the superintendent was promoted to chief superintendent four months later.

While commissioner Carroll did not attend the conference, she condemned the actions while giving evidence to the inquiry.

“To say that I was upset and appalled, having regard to the reform work that we’re doing, is probably an understatement,” she said.

The commissioner has sought legal advice about her options in relation to Mr Rohweder, and that advice is pending.

It comes days after Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor announced his immediate resignation from the force.

An inquiry into domestic violence and police culture heard commissioner Taylor made inappropriate remarks in a speech at a police leadership conference.

In a speech delivered to 100 staff members in April this year, the deputy commissioner referred to a friend of his as a “vagina whisperer” the inquiry heard.

Mr Taylor said he was “deeply apologetic” for the harm his words caused, adding “it was never my intention to offend anyone”.

“I was remorseful immediately after the incident, and the Commissioner addressed the matter with me soon after,” he said in a statement.

The deputy commissioner said he had given his “heart and soul” throughout his 45 year career in the police force.

“I am devastated about the impact this has had on the reputation of the service, because it does not reflect my values, nor those of the organisation.”

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Camera IconPolice Commissioner Katarina Carroll has called out the Chief Superintendent’s comments as ‘deeply disrespectful and it is misogynistic’. Liam Kidston Credit: News Corp Australia

Despite the findings of the inquiry, deputy commissioner Taylor said the “public should have confidence that this is a great organisation” which was “evolving and taking on modern values”.

“In the past two to three years, the service has undergone an incredible amount of change to enhance our culture, processes and how we deliver services,” he said.

Ms Carroll told the inquiry that while the comments were not acceptable, Mr Taylor had made the comments as his friend was a gynaecologist and obstetrician.

“I don’t know how it was mentioned in the speech,” Carroll said.

“But the person is a friend of the deputy and he himself and I believe the circles he operates within, call him that.”

The deputy commissioner was one of two senior officers who were accused of making inappropriate remarks about women on two different occasions, the inquiry revealed.

The inquiry also heard 79 Queensland police officers were being investigated over an offensive social media post which mocked domestic violence victims.

Originally published as Senior cop placed on leave after inappropriate outburst during police conference

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