Why is the Queensland Police Service disbanding its domestic violence unit?

The Queensland Police Service is disbanding its DFV operational support unit as part of an organizational change following a 100-day review that questioned the primacy of domestic violence case management.

What are the concerns about disbanding the DFV unit?

Frontline workers are concerned that disbanding the DFV operational support unit will place women at greater risk, particularly in regional and remote areas, and impact information sharing between agencies.

Where will the officers from the disbanded DFV unit be redeployed?

Officers from the disbanded DFV operational support unit will be redeployed to local districts as part of the Queensland Police Service's broader reform process.

Home / Crime and Justice / Queensland Police Unit for DV Victims Scrapped

Queensland Police Unit for DV Victims Scrapped

30 Jan

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Summary

Specialist domestic violence unit to be disbanded by Queensland police.
Concerns raised by frontline workers about increased risk to women.
Decision follows a review that questioned DV case management's priority.

Queensland Police Unit for DV Victims Scrapped

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has announced the planned disbandment of its statewide domestic and family violence (DFV) and vulnerable persons command's operational support unit. This decision, confirmed recently, stems from a 100-day organizational review that reportedly suggested domestic violence case management is not a "core" police function.

Frontline workers have expressed alarm, calling the unit an "invaluable resource" critical for inter-agency information sharing and timely responses. They worry that its closure will diminish victim safety, especially for women in regional and remote parts of Queensland. This comes in the wake of Guardian Australia's past reporting on policing failures in domestic violence cases.

The QPS stated that recent reforms, following a 2022 inquiry into cultural issues, have addressed many concerns that previously necessitated centralized oversight. However, some recommendations from that review, including a civilian-led integrity unit, remain unimplemented. The service aims to redeploy unit officers to local districts, asserting this realignment will enhance strategic and operational responses by positioning expertise for maximum impact.