Hundreds of penalties against Qld police may be invalid

Queensland police officers sanctioned for behaviour may be entitled to compensation after a court of appeal decision affecting the validity of the internal disciplinary process.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll estimates as many as 300 cases are impacted, but says the majority have already completed penalties, including transfers or extra training.

However she is concerned about the 26 or so officer dismissals that are likely affected.

"I'm seeking industrial advice as to what i can particularly do with that cohort, because the others have already been managed in the organisation," Ms Carroll told reporters on Wednesday.

For officers that were dismissed, demoted or had their pay reduced, she said there may be an avenue for compensation.

The issue centres on an interpretation of the Police Service Administration Act that was tested in the Supreme Court last year and upheld after an appeal by QPS was dismissed last month.

The ruling relates to the appointment of a "prescribed officer" to manage serious disciplinary matters.

"Between November 2019 and late 2022, the QPS was referring discipline matters for consideration (by) a prescribed officer without specifying who that was," Ms Carroll said. 

The court interpretation requires the prescribed officer to be identified. 

Matters affected include allegations of domestic violence, sexual harassment, misuse of information and drug use.

"It is disappointing, on behalf of the victims more than anything," Ms Carroll said. 

An assessment committee has been established to "determine the most suitable course of action" for each matter, to be led by Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler.

The committee is in the process of "drilling down into the data" to determine exactly how many people are affected, Mr Wheeler said. 

"We want to deal with this quickly but we want to be thorough ... we will not be able to deal with this in a matter of days, this will take some time," he said.

"I want to reassure everyone that we're doing everything we can to make sure we manage our workplaces appropriately, and most importantly to keep the community safe."

Reform of disciplinary process was instigated after a damming inquiry into police culture last year, and Ms Carroll is confident the issue has been resolved.