By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 02:36 BST, 22 May 2025 | Updated: 03:52 BST, 22 May 2025

Australians are calling for a Queensland detective to step down during an investigation into whether he made a sexist comment on a Facebook post.

A photo of two young women holding signs at a rally was posted by Gold Coast Bulletin on May 11, covering a Broadbeach gathering for the national day of action in support of domestic violence victims.

Among the dozens of comments, one said: ‘All I see is a lot of women sitting around…and a lot of sandwiches NOT getting made.’

One user slammed the commenter, saying: ‘You think this is a joke flogga? I’m embarrassed that you identify as a man.’

The initial account said: ‘Poor sensitive little snowflake. Do you need a tissue or someone to ring your mommy for you?

‘Give her a minute to answer, she’s still making my sandwich.’

The comment has since been deleted, but multiple police sources told the Bulletin the Facebook account is connected to a serving, male, Gold Coast police officer.

A spokesperson for Queensland Police Service (QPS) has said it was ‘aware of this matter, which is subject to internal investigation’.

It has not been confirmed whether the officer has been stood down, but the detective’s colleagues said he remains on duty.

A protest held in Brisbane as part of the national day of action supporting victims of domestic violence. Not the photo that's at the centre of the QPS investigation

A protest held in Brisbane as part of the national day of action supporting victims of domestic violence. Not the photo that’s at the centre of the QPS investigation

Daily Mail Australia has contacted QPS for comment.

Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said the comments were ‘extremely disappointing’.

‘That’s not the professional standards I expect. It’s not the attitudes I expect.’

‘We work hard every single day of the week keeping our victims, victim survivors, safe in domestic and family violence incidents. We expect professional behavior.’

Domestic violence survivor and founder of What Were You Wearing founder, Sarah Williams said QPS should have taken action.

‘The detective should have immediately been stood down pending the investigation,’ she said.

‘I was pretty appalled by how misogynistic and how dehumanising the comment was.’ 

The comment, which has since been deleted, has been slammed as sexist by survivors of domestic abuse

The comment, which has since been deleted, has been slammed as sexist by survivors of domestic abuse

‘It literally reinforces outdated sexist ideas that women belong in the kitchen and quite often that language is used to silence and belittle women who speak out,’ she said.

‘It goes to show that there’s still a desperate need for change in the culture of the Queensland Police Service.’

A 2022 inquiry into Queensland police responses to Domestic Violence heard that 1,676 complaints of sexist, racist, misogynistic and homophobic behaviour were made against officers from 2020 to 2022.

The conclusions of the inquiry suggested the establishment of an independent Police Integrity Unit (PIU) be established by early 2024 to prevent police investigating police. 

However, it has yet to be implemented by the state government. 

Queensland Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the PIU is a commitment made by the former government but slammed the officer’s comments.

‘This is unacceptable behaviour, especially by a serving Queensland police officer.

‘This matter is before the Ethical Standards Command, overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC).’

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Queensland Police detective under fire as Australians demand resignation over alleged sexist facebook comment

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