Alleged Qld whistleblower cop resigns

Alleged whistleblower police officer Rick Flori has resigned after almost 28 years of service and will now run in the Queensland state election.

Alleged whistleblower cop Rick Flori

Alleged whistleblower police officer Rick Flori has resigned after almost 28 years of service. (AAP)

Alleged whistleblower cop Rick Flori has resigned from the Queensland Police Service after almost 28 years in the job.

Mr Flori is due to stand trial next year over allegations he leaked video footage of colleagues beating a handcuffed man in 2012 and has written an open letter saying he's "lost faith in any change of culture occurring in the near future".

The former Gold Coast sergeant says he has "no confidence" in the force's management and is now preparing for a state election tilt as an Independent candidate for Southport.

"There is little point to continue in a cycle that is not only unhealthy for me but also my family," he said in the letter.

"I have always been passionate about serving the community and I look forward to being able to do so without having my hands tied."

Mr Flori, who was suspended without pay by the QPS over the misconduct allegations, said his decision to leave was inevitable.

"The way they've dealt with me, all indications were that they didn't want me in the organisation, they didn't want me speaking out, they didn't want me challenging their decisions or the way they operate," he told AAP on Friday.

"I couldn't return there and continue on happy days. It doesn't work that way."

Mr Flori conceded he has mixed feelings about his resignation after 28 years of service.

"I was with that organisation for the most part of my life," he said.

But he says his interest in serving the community had not waned and that's why he will try his hand at state politics on November 25.

"I can tell you there's a depth of support that's really propping me up," he said, adding he had not received one negative comment about his candidacy.


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Source: AAP



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