Queensland Police Officer Sued for Allegedly Disparaging Indian Migrants

The Queensland Police Service is being sued in the federal court over comments made by an officer called out to an incident.

A sign can be seen outside the Brisbane Watch House in Brisbane, Australia, on July 12, 2024. Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) says it cannot comment about allegations that an officer made offensive remarks about an Indian rideshare driver.

It comes amid a Federal Court case brought by a Punjabi rideshare driver known only as “Singh,” who claims to have been racially discriminated against and mistreated by police in 2023 after a passer-by claimed the driver had carried out inappropriate acts in his car.

Singh was originally charged with committing an indecent act, with the charge later withdrawn by police.

Singh claims to have been talking to his sister and gesticulating as he was speaking, but body-worn camera footage from police investigations reportedly recorded an officer saying Indians were “a bunch of [expletive] perverts” as he drove from the scene.

The comment allegedly came as the same officer had been called out to another job involving an Indian man and some teenagers.

“The Queensland Police Service is unable to comment on an individual’s matters or legal proceedings due to privacy and legal reasons,” QPS told The Epoch Times in a statement.

“The QPS remains focused on delivering professional policing services and enhancing community safety through intelligence-driven, proactive policing activities designed to prevent, disrupt and detect criminal behaviour.”

The spokesperson said the organisation has a broad range of programs to support ethical policing including an internal complaints system and ethical awareness training.

“Concerns with policing responses and investigations can be raised at any time,” they said.

“Complaints regarding police conduct can be lodged directly with the QPS by reporting to a police station, contacting Policelink (131 444), or submitting online through the QPS website.”

The claims around the incident, originally published by The Guardian, also claim Singh’s request for an interpreter and lawyer were ignored.

According to the publication, Singh has claimed suffering shame and that he has been ostracised from his friendship circle.

As a consequence he is demanding $493,488 in compensation, plus aggravated and exemplary damages.

The Epoch Times contacted Singh’s lawyer for comment.

The case remains before the courts.