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Golly, what a mess: First day for new top cop and already his desk is spilling over

On the same day Queensland’s next top cop was unveiled, a crime report suggests a tough challenge may lie ahead for the new police commissioner.

Apr 23, 2024, updated Apr 23, 2024
Queensland police commissioner Steve Gollschewski (right) is seen at the ceremony for outgoing Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll at Queensland Police Service (QPS) Headquarters (AAP Image/Darren England)

Queensland police commissioner Steve Gollschewski (right) is seen at the ceremony for outgoing Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll at Queensland Police Service (QPS) Headquarters (AAP Image/Darren England)

Steve Gollschewski on Monday said tackling domestic violence would be a priority after being endorsed as the man to take over from Katarina Carroll.

The 44-year force veteran said DV reforms were “absolutely critical” after a 2022 inquiry’s damning findings into Queensland police responses to domestic violence.

But the 2022-23 Queensland crime report released on Monday has detailed the enormous task facing the new commissioner.

It reported a 27.2 per cent increase in DV order breaches compared to 2021-22 – and a staggering 255.2 per cent rise since 2013-2014.

Assaults were also up almost 165 per cent and theft 26 per cent since 2013-14.

“That (DV reform) is something that is absolutely critical and … will remain as a priority for myself as the commissioner and for our organisation,” Mr Gollschewski told reporters.

“More needs to be done for the victims of domestic and family violence, to make sure that the perpetrators are held to account and can change what they do.

“We’re dealing with over 140,000 (DV) calls for service every year. It is an enormous challenge for the organisation and we must do more.”

The new commissioner says he wants to reduce red tape for frontline police and ensure DV victims feel safe to come forward, with officers also undergoing training for new coercive control legislation.

Mr Gollschewski had been filling in as interim commissioner after Ms Carroll left the force on March 1.

She stepped down months before her contract was due to expire after almost five years at the helm following an outcry over youth crime and reports of officer unrest.

Mr Gollschewski was endorsed as Queensland’s 21st commissioner after the crime report revealed all offences had risen by 13 per cent, homicides by 31 per cent and robbery by 16 per cent compared to 2021-22.

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The number of Queenslanders becoming victims of crime rose almost 17 per cent.

But Mr Gollschewski said his focus would be fairly simple.

“Keep our community safer, and make sure that they feel safe,” he said.

Mr Gollschewski had been Queensland Police’s most experienced deputy commissioner after more than a decade in the role.

Premier Steven Miles said the government would work with the new commissioner to finalise a community safety plan for Queensland.

The state government handed out its own crime figures on Monday, saying total offences had decreased by one per cent in the last nine months.

The premier and new commissioner then flew to north Queensland where they announced more than $45 million in funding for victims of crime support.

It included almost $16 million to expand a community response program and more than $15 million to ensure the timely delivery of financial assistance to victims of crime.

Meanwhile, advocacy group Voice for Victims is reportedly set to march on state parliament, calling for tougher punishments for juvenile offenders at an April 30 rally.

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