Queensland Police Issued Safety Notices Following Watch House Inspections

Queensland's workplace safety regulator has issued multiple regulatory notices to the Queensland Police Service following a targeted compliance inspection of watch houses across the state. The action by Workplace Health and Safety comes after the Queensland Police Union lodged a formal complaint in March regarding severe overcrowding and inadequate staffing levels.

The union's original complaint highlighted significant operational and environmental hazards inside aging facilities. Key issues raised included adult detainees being held for up to 21 days and juveniles for up to 30 days, alongside reports of unreliable CCTV systems, poor ventilation, mould, deficient chemical storage, and a lack of personal protective equipment. Union officials also noted instances of detainees sleeping on floors, in exercise yards, or in makeshift overflow areas due to extreme space constraints.

INSPECTION FINDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTION

Site visits were conducted across several locations, including Brisbane, Caloundra, Caboolture, Ipswich, Cleveland, Southport, and Beenleigh. According to Queensland Police Union President Shane Prior, the Brisbane facility received notices regarding building maintenance deficiencies and chemical storage. Additionally, facilities in Caloundra and Caboolture were each served with five improvement notices, with one notice in Caboolture addressing the absence of a sexual harassment prevention plan.

The regulatory notices function as legal directions requiring the police service to rectify specific workplace health and safety issues rather than financial penalties. Workplace Health and Safety confirmed that no monetary fines were issued during the compliance program and stated that it continues to monitor the police service's adherence to the issued notices.

POLICE SERVICE AND UNION RESPONSES

Union leadership described the current working environment in the facilities as hazardous for both officers and individuals in custody, warning that unaddressed risks could lead to severe injuries or fatalities. The union expressed concern that key safety hazards had remained unaddressed despite prior reviews into state watch houses.

In response to the regulatory findings, a spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service stated that the organization remains focused on community safety and the wellbeing of personnel working in custody operations. The service noted that it is continuing to progress all 34 recommendations generated from a previous internal watch house review to implement long-term improvements across its facilities.