Call for Qld police chief to be sacked

Protesters angry over Aboriginal deaths in police custody are demanding the sacking of Queensland's police chief and a new independent panel to investigate such deaths.

Queensland's corruption watchdog, the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC), on Tuesday said it would take over primary responsibility for investigating all deaths in police custody.

The shift followed coroner Brian Hine's scathing findings last week about the police handling of the investigation into Mulrunji Doomadgee's death at the Palm Island watchhouse in 2004.

Police 'colluded'

He said he could not definitively say if the injuries that killed Mulrunji were deliberately or accidentally inflicted in a scuffle with arresting officer Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.

But he said there was evidence that other police had colluded to protect Sen Sgt Hurley.

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson defended the police service's record of handling investigations into deaths in custody, noting that more than 50 cases had been investigated since Mulrunji's death.

'Palpable anger'

Protesters are gathering outside Parliament House in Brisbane to raise concerns about the continuing high number of deaths in custody.

Indigenous leader Sam Watson told AAP there was "palpable anger" in the community and an independent panel should be set up to oversee deaths in custody investigations.

Mr Watson also said it was time for Mr Atkinson to be sacked.

"He's presided over this entire sorry episode since 2004," Mr Watson said.

Police standards 'have fallen'

"It's been found police standards have fallen dramatically, and yet Mr Atkinson sees nothing and does nothing - it's time for him to move on."

He said a community panel including lawyers, indigenous representatives and church leaders should be set up.

"Any family that suffers from a death in custody should expect a timely and sincere investigation of all the issues and the timely release of findings," Mr Watson said.

State parliament is sitting on Wednesday.