"The police chokehold - also known as the Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint hold, LVNR or sleeper hold - involves compressing the arteries and veins in the neck to decrease blood supply to the brain.

Queensland is currently the only state in Australia to allow the controversial chokehold.

... in addition to the well-documented evidence base of chokeholds and the risks associated with death for all Australians, the unacceptable risk the chokehold poses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Peoples."

"there have been at least five deaths involving the chokehold in Queensland. These five victims were Stevie Lee Nixon-McKellar, Noombah, Christopher Martin, Carl Grillo and Michael Eddy."

"... Stevie Lee's mother, Dr Raylene Nixon, is spearheading a campaign to ban chokeholds in Queensland. "

"The campaign saw some early success. On 14 April 2023, then QPS Commissioner Katarina Caroll removed the chokehold as a use of force option for the Queensland Police Service. A direction to cease using the technique was put in place. References to the chokehold were removed from the police manual... But just one month later, Commissioner Caroll reneged, stating pressure from the Queensland Police Union... The LVNR is currently allowed in 'dangerous situations'.

"The death of George Floyd prompted jurisdictions around the globe to ban the chokehold...All Australian states and territories besides Queensland have banned the use of chokeholds. Victoria, NSW and Qld are all categorical in stating they do not teach or advocate the use of any form of chokehold or respiratory neck restraint."

Dr Nixon is continuing the campaign, see https://nit.com.au/10-03-2026/23068/mother-fights-to-ban-police-chokeholds-in-queensland

"A petition calling on the coroner to release the footage of Stevie-Lee's death can be signed online."

"Releasing the footage is in the public interest. In 2020, footage of George Floyd being physically restrained by Minneapolis police flooded mainstream and social media worldwide, triggering long over-due conversations about racism and police violence around the globe. ....

In the absence of justice before the courts, releasing the footage is crucial. In Australia, no police officer has ever been held accountable in relation to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who has died in police custody. In the absence of justice before courts of law, justice in the court of public opinion takes on special importance.  "

#NoMoreDeathsInCustody #FirstNationsJustice #QueenslandPolice #QldGov #QLD #Justice4StevieLee #DeathsInCustody

Dr Raylene Nixon's fight for justice and an end to police chokeholds in Queensland

On 7 October, 2021, Steven Lee Nixon-McKeller was killed at the hands of two Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers in Toowoomba.Stevie Lee was just twenty-seven years old. He died after he was held...

National Indigenous Times

Deceased accused of “Cop shopping” in police file:

… among many other astounding problems identified in how Police handled Kelly Wilkinson’s case.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/03/kelly-wilkinson-murder-inquest-estranged-husband-bail-ntwnfb
#QldPol #QldGov #QldLaw #DomesticViolence

Police improperly granted Kelly Wilkinson’s estranged husband bail days before he murdered her, inquest hears

Rape allegations meant magistrate should have determined Brian Earl Johnston’s bail, Queensland coroner’s court told

The Guardian

Former Police assistant commissioner as new Human Rights commissioner?

This can go two ways:
- She is a government/police hack, and has no actual interests in championing human rights issues.
- She learns from the institution and becomes a champion of human rights and seeks reform in many areas including QPS.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/former-assistant-police-commissioner-appointed-queensland-human-rights-tsar-20251211-p5nmx9.html
#QldPol #QldGov

Former senior cop appointed Queensland human rights tsar

Deborah Platz AM will replace outgoing commissioner Scott McDougall, with her five-year term to begin at the end of January.

Brisbane Times
Queensland Fire Department Bushfire Alerts Be a good idea if the RSS messages linked to the main www.fire.qld.gov.au/Current-Inci... page #qldgov
#QldGov #QldEdu #AusPol I created a quick little demo app that fits the job details but i'm not sure where/how in my materials to actually put it such that it will be looked at by a gov hiring board. I haven't been able to reach the contact person (manager) on the phone to ask them. Plz help/advice ❤️

‘Zero tolerance’, Queensland Police Service once proclaimed.
… it’s a very weird demonstration of ‘Zero tolerance’.

My sympathy and empathy for PTSD-in-service starts with ‘Everyone should feel safe to be able to disclose and be certain care and support will be provided during and post-employment.’
It ends when a person breaches the values and codes of conduct of the Public service.

PTSD is no excuse for breaches.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/14/queensland-police-officer-who-engaged-in-pattern-of-predatory-sexual-conduct-awarded-anonymity-by-tribunal-ntwnfb
#QldPol #QldGov #QldLaw

Queensland police officer who engaged in ‘pattern of predatory sexual conduct’ awarded anonymity by tribunal

Exclusive: Former sergeant remains employed by Queensland police in a supervisory role despite ruling his behaviour toward three junior female colleagues was ‘a gross breach of trust’

The Guardian

The DMRC proudly launches a photobook celebrating Townsville’s Creative Underground.

This initiative, led by PhD candidate Michael Bromage, helped participants gain new skills, build connections, and access employment opportunities, enriching life in FNQ.

Read more here 👇 https://eprints.qut.edu.au/254916/

#QUTResearch #daktech #qldgov

Also, could never stand a ‘Leader’ that whinges about the lack of recognition of (past) achievements while being dismissive (present-day) problems.

Yeah, sure, great…. there may have been achievements. Non-executives especially should be acknowledged - as peer-level role models are important, after all.

But leadership? A problem still persists. A problem that has a serious impact on the QPS brand, and influences whether Queenslanders are law-fearing or law-respecting residents.
This aint the time to be looking back at your trophy cabinet.
#QldPol #QldGov

And sadly QLD Police Union are also a major part of its problematic culture. It’s a stark contrast compared to other similar professional/public service Unions around the world. Tends to take a staunch defensive position, rather than one of code and principle.

If Queensland Police Union President, Shane Prior were actually serious about the concerns and wellbeing of current Police Officers, he’d recognise how the cultural problems cause by the rotten within the force creates stress and increases risks that more respectable officers are forced to manage and clean up.

#QldPol #QldGov

Of course, … the typical Queensland Police response.
They’ve been there for decades and aren’t going to start admitting to the problems they’ve turned a blind eye to and denied exists

Real leaders would have:
Acknowledged the problems;
Recognise that problems are only threats if they don’t grasp the opportunities;
Survey to identify the breadth and depth of the problem;

The Commissioner should stand aside for a real leader if he’s incapable of grasping the opportunity to greatly improve the QPS, and happy to sit on his laurels content with the status quo.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-10/police-qhrc-diversity-review-discrimination/104702536
#QldPol #QldGov

Review into Queensland Police Service finds systemic discrimination against women and First Nations people

A review into the Queensland Police Service finds attitudes embedded in the service's policies and procedures had fallen "short of modern community standards".

ABC News