Aussie cop admits to bashing tourists

File photo / NZ Herald

A senior Queensland police officer says the case of a senior constable who brutally bashed three tourists while on duty was one of the worst he'd seen.

Benjamin Thomas Price on Monday pleaded guilty in the Bowen District Court to four counts of assault in the Queensland holiday town of Airlie Beach in 2007 and 2008.

Two of the attacks, which occurred in the Airlie Beach police station, were captured in graphic detail by CCTV cameras.

Footage shows Price punching one tourist before jamming a fire hose down his throat, but police won't release it until after he is sentenced in the Townsville District Court on October 8.

Deputy commissioner Ian Stewart told reporters in Brisbane on Monday the incidents were a matter of "deep regret".

"We unconditionally apologise to the victims," he said.

"It's unacceptable behaviour.

"Certainly it was some of the worst I've ever seen by a single officer."

One victim has received an undisclosed out-of-court compensation payment and the other two are making similar claims, Mr Stewart said.

He said Price is likely to face "significant jail time".

Price was in the police service for six years and resigned in August 2008 after being suspended during an internal investigation.

The then senior constable's behaviour came to light after fellow officer Bree Sonter turned whistleblower.

Mr Stewart praised Ms Sonter, a junior officer at the time, for her courage and integrity in making a complaint.

He said Ms Sonter had since transferred to Brisbane as a junior detective.

"It's proof that the systems that we have in place do work in relation to identifying and dealing with misconduct and misbehaviour," Mr Stewart said.

He said there was an internal witness support unit to encourage officers to report misconduct of colleagues.

"There is a legislative requirement if our officers witness inappropriate behaviour that they come forward," he said.

In responding to claims the CCTV footage showed other officers witnessing the attacks but not intervening, Mr Stewart said further disciplinary action was on hold until Price's court sentencing.

"Once the court process is finalised, consideration will be given in relation to discipline action against any current serving officers who were aware of Mr Price's actions and yet failed to report the misconduct," he said.

"Officers who were aware of Mr Price's actions but have since resigned from the (force) are no longer subject to the disciplinary process."

He could not confirm whether four police officers had resigned from the Airlie Beach station because of concerns over police culture.

Asked if Price's behaviour had tarred community confidence in the police service, Mr Stewart said it was an isolated "breach of trust" but not reflective of the service overall.

"The (police force) is continuing to examine the circumstances around these incidents to see if there are systemic issues which need addressing or any policy or training implications," he said.

Price has been released on bail pending his sentence.

- AAP