Minister disappoints police families in petition response

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto sponsored a parliamentary e-petition started by local resident Steven Isles calling for consideration on merit of serving police officers whose loss of life can be attributed to suicide being added to the Police Honour Roll. Mr Isles lost his father, Senior Sergeant Michael Isles, more than 10 years ago.

STATE Police Minister Mark Ryan’s refusal to recognise police officers who have died by suicide has only prolonged the pain and suffering felt by families of the fallen, says Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto.

Mr Dametto said he was “extremely disappointed” with the Minister’s response to a recent parliamentary e-petition he sponsored, which called on the House to “do all within its power” to accept the recommendation of the Queensland Ombudsman and enable consideration on merit of other serving police officers whose loss of life can be attributed to suicide being added to the Police Honour Roll.

“The Minister has deferred the decision to change the criteria of the police honour roll to Commissioner Katarina Carroll, which in my view is seems like a classic hand ball,” Mr Dametto said.

“In his response, the Minister hides behind a review of the current policy around the QPS honour roll that is underway, despite the clear recommendation of the Queensland Ombudsman to enable consideration on merit of serving police officers whose loss of life can be attributed to suicide to be added to the Police Honour Roll.

“This process has been drawn out for too long. All these families of fallen officers are asking for is a criteria change to the police honour roll. In a day and age where we recognise and claim to be doing all we can to help those who suffer from mental health, I do not understand why there is such resistance to this very admirable cause.”

Mr Dametto said he was proud to have worked alongside principal petitioner Steven Isles, who lost his father, Senior Sergeant Michael Isles, in the line of duty more than 10 years ago.

“Steven and his family have endured many years of heartache, as have several other families who have also been supportive of this criteria change to the honour roll,” Mr Dametto said.

“I now join these suffering families as we await the results of QPS’s review into this matter and urge them to fast-track it so we have a clear answer. It is just plain cruel to leave such an important change to the police honour roll up in the air.”

To view the Minister’s response, click here.