The superintendent in charge of the Queensland police First Nations unit is under investigation for alleged racism and bullying, Guardian Australia has confirmed.
Amid questions about racism within the ranks, the commissioner, Katarina Carroll, on Tuesday sought to highlight the work of the First Nations and multicultural affairs unit and publicly praised its boss, Supt Kerry Johnson.
But documents seen by the Guardian reveal that last month Johnson was accused of racism by a person of colour who worked in the unit, including allegations he blocked her promotion on racial grounds; that he was disrespectful to community members at a funeral in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg; and that he laughed at a joke by senior officers about whether he was “black enough” to lead the unit.
A Queensland police service spokesperson confirmed an investigation was ongoing, and said Carroll only became aware on Wednesday, when questions were sent by Guardian Australia.
Johnson told the commission of inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence that he had some First Nations heritage, “but I don’t actively identify as a First Nations person”.
Despite not identifying as Indigenous or meeting standard government working criteria for Indigenous status, Johnson has been the basis for Carroll’s repeated claim that the QPS has First Nations officers in the upper ranks. Of more than 300 commissioned officers – at the rank of inspector or above – none identify as Indigenous.
Carroll told reporters on Tuesday that she had handpicked Johnson to run the First Nations unit because he would “understand the history and the issues” related to First Nations people.
But some Indigenous police officers, staff in the First Nations unit and Indigenous community members have told Guardian Australia that Johnson has at times displayed a lack of cultural knowledge or sensitivity to lead the organisation’s First Nations strategy.
“They’re using a white man who admits he doesn’t identify as Aboriginal to tick a black box,” one QPS officer said.
Guardian Australia has confirmed two separate complaints have been made about Johnson’s behaviour. One alleges he engaged in negative workplace behaviours. Another, lodged by a person of colour in October, contains allegations of bullying and racism.
The complaint was made by a female officer who worked in Johnson’s unit and was awarded an acting position in the new police domestic and family violence command. She alleges this was blocked by Johnson because he was concerned about the “optics” of the First Nations unit having to subsequently replace a black staff member with a white man.
“He wanted to use my blackness to gain credibility,” the complaint says.
“He used the optics excuse of a white man to validate hindering my opportunity for development.
“As a black woman, I find this highly offensive and racist. This racist feedback was completely distressing for me and an example that contributed to me feeling effects to racism, bullying, isolation and exclusion in the office.”
Members of the QPS First Nations reference group – an external body of Indigenous leaders established to provide cultural advice – have also raised concerns about Johnson’s cultural knowledge and capability.
The reference group submitted meeting minutes to the Queensland inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence. These included a note from a June meeting that a deputy commissioner had “acknowledged the incomprehensible incompetence” of Johnson in not executing the intentions of the unit.
In October, Johnson was appointed to serve as the interim executive director of the QPS communication, culture and engagement division next month. This occurred after concerns were raised by the reference group, and while he remains under investigation.
Also alleged in the woman’s complaint was that two senior officers had “made a joke asking [Johnson] if he was black or dark enough to be in the unit”.
“Johnson thought this was a funny joke.”
The complaint details how a panel to appoint staff to the First Nations and multicultural affairs unit was comprised of three white officers. It also alleges Johnson showed disrespect at a community funeral in Cherbourg.
“Rumours circulated that he was that disrespectful [and] community members wanted to punch him in the head,” the complaint says.
“I know of several examples that have been highly damaging to QPS and community relationships.”
The officer said: “I have been continually censored to not speak about racism. I have had a commissioned officer say to me: ‘You do not want to be the person who is known in the organisation as waving the flag for racism.’”
A QPS spokesperson said: “An ethical standards command investigation is currently under way and it would be inappropriate for the QPS to comment further.”
The spokesperson said there was no requirement for the superintendent position in the First Nations and multicultural affairs unit to be filled by an identified First Nations person.
“The commissioner remains committed to supporting the FNMAU and its important work with internal and external stakeholders across the state.”
A First Nations officer who worked in the unit, former sergeant Richard Monaei, recently described the QPS as culturally unsafe.
In his resignation letter, Monaei said attempting to address racism in the QPS “has broken me”.
