New team in Moreton police unit

A new team of detectives has been set-up in the Moreton District Domestic Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit to focus on a tailored, victim-centric approach to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

Following recommendations through the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service (QPS) response to DFV, the Serious Crime Investigation Team (SCIT) officially started in January 2025.

Moreton District Detective Inspector Phil Hurst said SCIT works alongside other DFV units within the QPS, and external support services, to identify high risk victim-survivors.

“SCIT detectives display highly developed communication and empathic skills to engage with high risk DFV victim-survivors,” DI Hurst said.

“Detectives work to overcome barriers which can prevent high risk victim-survivors wanting to engage with police by offering a more tailored and individually suitable approach.

“With specialised training and education, SCIT detectives work to develop rapport with victim-survivors over the long-term and improve their engagement with police and subsequent court processes.”

Part of the role of the SCIT is to identify and work with high risk and repeat DFV offenders to bring them before courts as quickly as possible and limit further offending.

“DFV is not just physical violence—it includes coercive control, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and manipulation,” DI Hurst said.

“SCIT focuses on holistic DFV investigations, understanding the complexities and sensitivities of DFV incidents and ongoing situations.

“This DFV Prevention Month - and all months - the QPS is committed to keeping victim-survivors safe, holding perpetrators to account and strengthening frontline response to DFV.

“While police will continue to do everything possible, addressing DFV requires collective effort and cannot be achieved by law enforcement alone.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to play a role in preventing, identifying or reporting incidences of DFV.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, report it to police.

Support and counselling is available from:

• DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
• DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
• 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• 13YARN: 13 92 76

More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal