Investigation Arista A report concerning an investigation into the Queensland Police Service’s 50/50 gender equity recruitment strategy May 2021 February 2021 August 2020 ~ Crime and Corruption Commission ~ QUEENSLAND Investigation Arista A report concerning an investigation into the Queensland Police Service’s 50/50 gender equity recruitment strategy May 2021 ISBN: 978-1-876986-95-7 © The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) 2021 Licence This publication is licensed by the Crime and Corruption Commission under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 International licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. 81· @ In essence, you are free to copy, communicate and adapt this publication, as long as you attribute the work to the Crime and Corruption Commission. For further information contact: [email protected] Attribution Content from this publication should be attributed as: The Crime and Corruption Commission - Investigation Arista: A report concerning an investigation into the Queensland Police Service’s 50/50 gender equity recruitment strategy. Disclaimer of Liability While every effort is made to ensure that accurate information is disseminated through this medium, the Crime and Corruption Commission makes no representation about the content and suitability of this information for any purpose. The information provided is only intended to increase awareness and provide general information on the topic. It does not constitute legal advice. The Crime and Corruption Commission does not accept responsibility for any actions undertaken based on the information contained herein. Crime and Corruption Commission GPO Box 3123, Brisbane, QLD, 4001 Phone: 07 3360 6060 Level 2, North Tower Green Square (toll-free outside Brisbane: 1800 061 611) 515 St Pauls Terrace Fax: 07 3360 6333 Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Email: [email protected] Note: This publication is accessible through the CCC website <www.ccc.qld.gov.au>. GPO Box 3123 Brisbane QLD 4001 Level2 North Tower Green Square 515 St Pau ls Terrace Crime and Corruption Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Commission Tel.: 07 3360 6060 QUEENSLAND Toll-free: 1800 061611 (in Queensland outside Brisbane) Fax: 07 3360 6333 May 2021 [email protected] www.ccc.qld.gov.au ABN 32 164 714 360 The Honourable Curtis Pitt MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Mr Speaker In accordance with Section 69(1)(b) of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001, the Crime and Corruption Commission hereby furnishes to you its report: Investigation Arista - A report concerning an investigation into the Queensland Police Service’s 50/50 gender equity recruitment strategy. Yours sincerely A J MacSporran QC Chairperson Contents Foreword ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 List of abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Executive summary ........................................................................................................................................ 10 1 – Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 12 The CCC’s jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Crime and Corruption Act 2001 – “corrupt conduct” and “police misconduct” ............................................... 12 The complaint ................................................................................................................................................... 12 The decision to investigate ............................................................................................................................... 12 Decision to issue a public report ...................................................................................................................... 13 Procedural fairness process .............................................................................................................................. 14 Caution regarding the drawing of adverse inferences ..................................................................................... 14 2 – Background .............................................................................................................................................. 15 Complaint to the CCC ........................................................................................................................................ 15 The CCC’s investigation ..................................................................................................................................... 15 3 – Allegation category 1 – Use of discriminatory practices ............................................................................ 16 Gender issues in policing – the gender mix ...................................................................................................... 18 Mid 2015 – research commissioned on attraction and recruitment of females to the QPS ............................ 20 August 2015 – Queensland Government Gender Equity Strategy: "50/50 on equal footing” ......................... 20 23 November 2015 – Commissioner’s letter for a 50% female recruitment strategy for the QPS .................. 21 QFES sets target of 50% female recruitment.................................................................................................... 24 Comparison of QPS and QFES approaches to gender equity strategy.............................................................. 25 25 January 2016 – Commissioner publicly announces gender equity initiative ............................................... 25 PSBA replies to Commissioner’s letter but crucial information deleted .......................................................... 25 Initial implementation ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Running out of female candidates .................................................................................................................... 29 Lack of interest in male candidates .................................................................................................................. 29 One-week marketing campaign to increase female recruitment ..................................................................... 30 QPS Recruitment Section moved from PSBA; adoption of a new recruiting model ......................................... 30 Assessment tests .............................................................................................................................................. 31 Late 2017 – 50% female recruitment achieved despite the costs .................................................................... 35 Direct discrimination ceases and prioritising female appointment commences ............................................. 35 Recruits by gender – Statistics .......................................................................................................................... 37 4 – Allegation category 2 – Deceptive reporting practices .............................................................................. 38 Background ....................................................................................................................................................... 38 Applicant feedback and complaints.................................................................................................................. 39 Information to QPS Senior Executive................................................................................................................ 41 INVESTIGATION ARISTA: A REPORT CONCERNING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE QPS’S 50/50 GENDER EQUITY RECRUITMENT STRATEGY 6 Presentations to QPS Board of Management and ELT ..................................................................................... 43 ELT presentations ............................................................................................................................................. 44 Executive Briefing Notes ................................................................................................................................... 44 ICOP forum ....................................................................................................................................................... 46 Ministerial briefings .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Ministerial correspondence .............................................................................................................................. 48 Media and Right to Information requests ........................................................................................................ 49 Other agencies and organisations .................................................................................................................... 50 5 – Investigation outcomes and recommendations ........................................................................................ 51 Discriminatory recruitment practices