Queensland deputy police commissioner Paul Taylor quits over ‘vagina whisperer’ comment

One of Queensland‘s top cops has quit after his use of the phrase ‘vagina whisperer’ in a speech to colleagues amid an inquiry into police responses to family and domestic violence. 

Deputy commissioner Paul Taylor resigned on Friday after a Commission of Inquiry found he and chief superintendent Ray Rohweder made lewd comments at police leadership conferences.

The revelations came as Queensland’s police commissioner Katarina Carroll was questioned at the Inquiry on claims the service has a sexist, racist and misogynistic culture amongst officers.

Mr Taylor used the phrase ‘vagina whisperer’ in an official speech to describe a friend of his who is a respected gynaecologist.

Deputy commissioner Paul Taylor (pictured) resigned on Friday after a Commission of Inquiry found he and chief superintendent Ray Rohweder made lewd comments at police leadership conferences

Chief supt. Rohweder yelled an inappropriate comment at a Master of Ceremonies at a separate event. But he did not resign.

He is understood to have yelled from the audience out to the MC, who had stitches for a facial cut, asking ‘did she shut her legs on you?’

Mr Taylor tended his resignation to Queensland’s police commissioner Katarina Carroll after both men were identified during hearings for the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence.

Commissioner Carroll told the inquiry she personally counselled Mr Taylor over his use of language.

Mr Taylor, a police officer for 45 years, was in 2020 appointed to a new role deputy commissioner for Regional Queensland, based in Townsville. 

‘It was never my intention to offend anyone, and I am deeply apologetic for the harm it has caused,’ Mr Taylor said in an email to colleagues.

‘I am devastated about the impact this has had on the reputation of the service, because it does not reflect my values, nor those of the organisation.’

More to come