Cairns civic leaders and police pleased with appointment of FNQ-born Katarina Carroll as Police Commissioner

There are no expectations of favouritism, but Far North police and community leaders are revelling in the news the state’s new top cop is one of their own.

• New police boss 'humbled' by appointment

THERE are no expectations of favouritism, but Far North police and community leaders are revelling in the news the state’s new top cop is one of their own.

Innisfail-born and Tablelands-raised Katarina Carroll will take up the Police Commissioner role in July, taking over from retiring boss Ian Stewart.

New Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Not only does she call the Far North home, but she also spent seven years here serving as the Cairns Inspector, then the Far North region’s Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner.

Ms Carroll, who has been the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner since 2014, described her appointment as “humbling” yesterday.

“The pride I felt the day I first pulled on that blue shirt has never left me,” she said.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, who has known Ms Carroll since she worked in the city, said her appointment was “one for us”.

“Katarina knows the area well, she’s sensitive to the needs and wants of this area,” he said. “I’m sure she’ll do a great job.”

Queensland Police Union Far North representative Sergeant Marty Bristow also said her local knowledge was important.

“It’s good that it’s someone who has worked up here, who understands the tyranny of distance, wet seasons and the challenges of day to day policing up here,” he said.

Ms Carroll is the QPS’s first female commissioner.

Prior to her QFES role, she was Assistant Commissioner heading operations for the G20 Summit in Brisbane and also held positions as a detective, in the drug squad, Crime Operations and Ethical Standards.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her appointment was a “proud day” for the state.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said her selection came after an international search.

Originally published as Cairns civic leaders and police pleased with appointment of FNQ-born Katarina Carroll as Police Commissioner