Police Service Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2022
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill amends several Acts to improve operations for the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. It reforms the police discipline system, introduces automatic dismissal for officers sentenced to imprisonment, strengthens protections for confidential police information, streamlines weapons licensing, and modernises fire and emergency services legislation.
Who it affects
Police officers and recruits face stricter consequences for criminal convictions and reformed discipline processes. Weapons licence applicants may benefit from faster processing. Building occupiers have clearer obligations for external fire safety installations.
Police discipline and dismissal
The bill reforms the police discipline system by clarifying timeframes, allowing proceedings to be delayed for related domestic violence protection order applications, and enabling substitute prescribed officers. It also introduces automatic dismissal for officers or recruits sentenced to imprisonment, including suspended sentences, with a right to reappointment if the conviction is overturned on appeal.
- Police officers and recruits automatically dismissed upon being sentenced to imprisonment, including suspended sentences
- Discipline proceedings can be delayed until related domestic violence protection order applications are finalised
- A new prescribed officer can take over discipline proceedings if the original officer dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated
- The definition of 'prescribed operation' expanded to include surveillance device and telephone interception investigations
Confidential information and suitability
A new offence of unauthorised use of confidential QPS information applies to a broader range of people including contractors and subcontractors, not just police officers and staff. The definition of external service providers is expanded to cover more workers providing corporate services to the QPS.
- New offence covering anyone who accesses QPS confidential information, with a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment
- External service provider definition expanded to include contractors and labour hire workers at CITEC, Queensland Shared Services and other entities
- Medically retired police officers transferred to staff positions now employed under the Public Service Act 2008
Weapons licensing
Authorised officers can now delegate weapons licensing functions to police officers and QPS staff members to speed up processing. Licences and permits to acquire issued before the amendment by non-authorised staff are validated retrospectively.
- Weapons licensing functions can be delegated to police officers and QPS staff with appropriate expertise
- Previously issued licences and permits validated despite being approved by persons who were not authorised officers
Fire and emergency services
Authorised fire officers can now use remote-controlled devices like drones for fire investigations. The QFES Commissioner gains new powers to suspend fire permits. Interstate fire brigades can assist at hazardous materials emergencies and rescues, not just fires. QFES can share investigation information with police where a death or serious injury has occurred.
- Drones and robots can be used by authorised fire officers to enter premises and open receptacles during investigations
- Fire permits can now be suspended, not just revoked, allowing temporary management of fire risk
- Impersonating a Rural Fire Brigade member is now an offence, with higher penalties during a state of fire emergency
- Interstate fire brigades can assist at hazardous materials emergencies and rescues in Queensland
- QFES can share investigation information with QPS when a fire or hazardous materials incident involves death or serious injury
Online publication and housekeeping
Local fire ban notices, fire emergency declarations, and planning deemed-approval notices must now be published online instead of in newspapers. Several obsolete provisions are removed from the Police Service Administration Act.
- Local fire bans and state of fire emergency declarations must be published on the QFES website instead of in newspapers
- Obsolete offence of harbouring an off-duty police officer removed
- References to the obsolete MINDA software system removed
- Duplicate warrant, reporting and fee provisions removed in favour of existing provisions in other Acts
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee11 May 2022 – 27 Oct 2022View Hansard
Referred to Economics and Governance Committee
▸Second Reading11 May 2022 – 30 Mar 2023View Hansard
Supports the bill which enhances police service administration, acknowledging the work of frontline workers in difficult times.
“All workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and not adversely affect the safety of others.”— 2022-05-12View Hansard
Supports the bill's police administration provisions.
“The bill provides important updates to police service administration.”— 2022-05-12View Hansard
Supports the bill's provisions for police services.
“The bill supports our police services.”— 2022-05-12View Hansard
Supports the bill's provisions.
“The bill provides important updates.”— 2022-05-12View Hansard