Queensland Police Service names two new deputy commissioners

QUEENSLAND police has promoted two officers to the position of deputy commissioner, adding new names to the list of possible contenders to eventually replace top cop Ian Stewart.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart was reappointed to his position earlier this year but is tipped to stand down after the Commonwealth Games. File picture

QUEENSLAND police has started filling the three vacant deputy commissioner positions within the service with the promotion of two assistant commissioners.

Governor Paul de Jersey yesterday signed off on the promotion of Bob Gee and Tracy Linford as deputy commissioners, a week after Brett Pointing announced he was stepping down from the role and ending his 40-year service in the police force.

Commissioner Ian Stewart will officially announce Ms Linford and Mr Gee’s appointments today.

Brett Pointing has resigned after working with Queensland Police for 40 years. File picture

Ms Linford will oversee strategy policy and performance and Mr Gee will oversee regional operations.

Mr Gee has been with the QPS since 1987, holding roles in the ethical standards command before being promoted to assistant commissioner in 2011.

Ms Linford, who was appointed an assistant commissioner in 2015, was formerly with the Victoria Police as an intelligence and covert services expert.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the new deputy commissioners were both role models who would help lead the QPS into the future.

“Deputy Commissioner Gee has also been appointed to the important role of State Disaster Coordinator, effective immediately,” he told AAP in a statement.

Tracy Linford.

Bob Gee

Mr Pointing was one of three deputy commissioners to leave the role since the start of 2016.

Peter Martin quit the force in November to become the state’s corrective services commissioner and Ross Barnett shifted roles to investigate corruption in racing as the Racing Integrity Commissioner.

Their departures left Steve Gollschewski as only deputy commissioner in the service, before the most recent appointments.

The shake-up elevates the two new deputy commissioners to the list of possible contenders to replace Commissioner Ian Stewart.

Mr Stewart was reappointed to the role for three more years earlier in 2017 but speculation is rife he plans to step down following next year’s Commonwealth Games.