Queensland's corruption watchdog has been urged to review charges against a police whistleblower who exposed officers assaulting a handcuffed man, amid fears of a cover-up.
Gold Coast police sergeant Rick Flori is facing a criminal misconduct charge after allegedly leaking footage of the assault in 2012.
While Sgt Flori could be jailed for seven years if found guilty, the officers in the video have escaped punishment.
Queensland Council for Civil Liberties vice president Terry O'Gorman wrote to Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) on Thursday, asking for a complete review of the case.
Mr O'Gorman also wrote to Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, urging him to get advice from an independent QC on whether the prosecution of Sgt Flori should continue.
"On the information currently available, the prosecution of Sergeant Flori seen publicly is at best misconceived and, arguably, a miscarriage of justice," he wrote.
The civil libertarian is concerned a culture of impunity has invaded the force, while the corruption watchdog had gradually wound down its role of investigating police.
"Allowing police to investigate police is a throwback to the bad old pre-Fitzgerald days," he said.
"How, we've asked the CCC, is it that police are shown on a video to be assaulting someone yet no-one faces a criminal charge?"
Mr O'Gorman called for the CCC's new chair, Alan MacSporran QC, had to put fixing the police complaints system at the top of his agenda.
The assault occurred in the car park of a Gold Coast police station and Mr O'Gorman said the officers involved would have known there was a CCTV camera.
This, he said, suggested police had an "air of impunity about them" and it was up to Mr Stewart to act.
"What is he going to do about this culture of impunity that some police show, that they can assault someone knowing that they're being videoed and get away with it?"
Mr Stewart has already responded to critics of the charges against Sgt Flori, telling his Twitter followers he has faith in the justice system.
Mr O'Gorman said he understood the victim had sued the Queensland Police Force and received a confidential settlement.
Meanwhile, Sgt Flori has given evidence to an industrial relations commission, arguing the Queensland Police Service never paid him almost $50,000 worth of travel allowances he was entitled to.
Outside the hearing, Sgt Flori declined to comment on the case except to say he was "very grateful" for Mr O'Gorman's support.
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