New Queensland police commissioner announced
The Premier has today announced Queensland’s new Police Commissioner, whose appointment sees the role filled by a woman for the first time.
QLD News
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QUEENSLAND Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll is the state’s new police commissioner — the first woman to ever be appointed to the role.
Ms Carroll will take over from outgoing Commissioner Ian Stewart who finishes up in July after more than six years as top cop and 46 years in the police service.
Ms Carroll was the favourite out of six candidates vying for the role, alongside current deputy commissioner Bob Gee.
Ms Carroll is Queensland’s 20th police commissioner and began a distinguished policing career 26 years ago before taking on the role of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner in December 2014.
“The pride I felt the day I first pulled on that blue shirt has never left me,” she said today.
“To now lead this group of men and women is humbling.”
Ms Carroll’s career started in general duties in 1983 before working as a detective in the drug squad, crime operations and ethical standards. She played a key role in the G20 Summit in Brisbane in 2014 before being named Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said today her selection followed an international search.
“Commissioner Carroll has the respect and friendship of so many police around the state and for good reason,” Mr Ryan said.
“She has served not just the people of Queensland but has also played vital roles in a number of national and international groups including the Australia and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee for Command.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the decision flanked by Ms Carroll and Mr Stewart.
She described the incoming commissioner as a woman of outstanding integrity and strength.
Ms Carroll said while she was privileged to be the first woman to take on the role she was there “because of what I have done in my career”.
QUEENSLAND Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll is the state’s new police commissioner, the first woman to ever be appointed to the role.
— Sarah Vogler (@SarahLVogler) April 23, 2019
Ms Carroll will take over from outgoing Commissioner Ian Stewart who finishes up in July. @couriermail #qldpol pic.twitter.com/SEDGKNDIWR
She was told the news this morning, quickly calling her mother to break the news ahead of the press conference to announce her appointment.
Mr Stewart described Ms Carroll’s appointment as an “excellent choice”.
While she comes straight from the QFES, Ms Carroll is no stranger to the police department with three decades as a police officer, including 15 as a detective, under her belt. Before QFES Commissioner, she served as assistant commissioner of police where she had headed the state’s G20 policing operation that successfully protected US president Barack Obama and British prime minister David Cameron in Brisbane.
She is a former licensing branch, drug squad, criminal investigation branch, internal investigation and joint organised crime taskforce officer.
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