By Fraser Barton and Keira Jenkins, AAP
Queensland’s next top cop says domestic violence will remain a priority after its shocking rise was highlighted in the state’s latest crime report.
The state’s new police commissioner has been unveiled, with Steve Gollschewski officially replacing Katarina Carroll.
Mr Gollschewski was handed the reins on Monday 22 April after the 2022-23 Queensland crime report was released, providing an insight into offending across the state.
The report said there was a 27.2 per cent increase in domestic violence (DV) order breaches compared to 2021-22, and a staggering 255.2 per cent rise since 2013-2014.
“It (DV) is an enormous challenge for the organisation and we must do more,” Mr Gollschewski said.
He filled in as interim commissioner after Ms Carroll left the force on 1 March, fast tracking her departure amid mounting pressure.
She stepped down months before her contract was due to expire in July after almost five years at the helm following an outcry over youth crime and reports of officer unrest.
Mr Gollschewski was officially confirmed as Queensland’s 21st commissioner after crime stats on Monday revealed there had been an increase in unique child offenders in 2022-23.
A unique offender is an individual counted only once in crime statistics irrespective of the number of offences committed or the number of times they were dealt with by police.
The report said there were 11,191 unique child offenders – a 5.2 per cent rise on 2021-22.
The unique child offender rate also increased for the first time since 2014-15 with a 2.7 per cent rise.
However the report said people aged between 30 and 39 were the most violent, with total male and female offenders in that age bracket leading in assault offences.
Unique adult offenders had increased by 4.1 per cent in 2022-23.
