Queensland’s Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll Announces Resignation Amid Pressure Over Youth Crime and Domestic Violence Response

After years of increasing pressure over youth crime and the Queensland Police Service’s response to domestic violence, the state’s Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has made the decision to step down from her position rather than seek another five-year term.

Carroll’s announcement comes less than three weeks after the tragic stabbing death of Vyleen White in front of her granddaughter in Redbank Plains reignited the debate surrounding youth crime in the state.

During a press conference, Carroll stated that her choice to resign was influenced by discussions with her family and an acknowledgment of the heightened speculation and commentary surrounding her position.

Appointed as the state’s Police Commissioner in 2019 by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Carroll, who began her career in general duties before rising through the ranks to take on leadership positions, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a police officer and lead a team of over 17,000 staff members.

In an email sent to police officers on Tuesday morning, Carroll expressed her appreciation for the unwavering support she had received throughout her tenure and described her time in service as an extraordinary journey.

Following the recent meeting between Carroll and the Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan, the premier Steven Miles disclosed government plans to toughen penalties for the possession of knives and potentially expand police powers to address the issue of youth crime further.

Carroll’s resignation comes amidst growing discontent within the police service, with reports of staff shortages, increased workloads, and dissatisfaction with police leadership and the response to a commission of inquiry into domestic violence.