Officer jammed fire hose down tourist's throat

File photo / Getty Images

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 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 the incidents were a matter of "deep regret".

"We unconditionally apologise to the victims," he said. "It's unacceptable behaviour."

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

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.

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

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

Price has been released on bail pending his sentence.

- AAP