Steve Gollschewski set to replace Katarina Carroll as Qld’s interim top cop

Queensland’s police union says the man set to replace Katarina Carroll as the state’s acting top cop is a “tough operator” but is a “man who gets things done”.

Queensland Deputy police commissioner Steve Gollschewski will be appointed as Acting Commissioner. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski will be appointed Queensland’s acting police commissioner.

The veteran police officer had been tipped to take on the role after the sudden resignation of Katarina Carroll this week.

Mr Gollschewski has been dubbed as “Mr Fix It” was a deputy commissioner in the service before he was appointed special co-ordinator for police reform in November 2022, following the commission of inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence.

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has been dubbed as a ‘Mr Fix It’. Picture: John Gass

Mr Gollschewski is expected to step into the role after Ms Carroll finishes on March 1.

Police officers were told about the move in an all-staff email from Ms Carroll.

“It gives me great pleasure to formally share that the Acting Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service will be Steve Gollschewski APM,” she wrote.

“He will take up the role as Acting Commissioner from Saturday, March 2 and will be in the position until the permanent recruitment process is finalised.

“I know our entire organisation will join me in wishing him all the very best.”

Mr Gollschewski was the face of the Queensland Police Service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He fronted the media each day to outline rules and restrictions and discuss what enforcement police had undertaken.

He led Covid-19 police operations including hotel quarantine, airport security and border security on Queensland roads.

Mr Gollschewski is Queensland’s most experienced Deputy Commissioner, with more than a decade in the senior role. He has been a police officer for 40 years.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said he was pleased with the appointment. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Premier Steven Miles said he was pleased to see Mr Gollschewski announced as the acting commissioner.

“I worked closely with Steve daily during our response to Covid and he is an extraordinarily competent and experienced leader,” Mr Miles said.

“I look forward to the selection process for a new Commissioner beginning in the near future.”

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said Mr Gollschewski was a “man that gets things done” but predicted they would “butt heads”.

Mr Leavers referred to the number of officers disciplined or sacked while Mr Gollschewski was deputy commissioner compared to others in the position previously.

“We’ve advocated some of those pleased to be reinstated, had some wins and we’ve had some losses. That’s how it is. He’s a tough operator,” Mr Leavers said.

“And one thing about him, you will never leave a meeting not knowing where he stands on an issue, which is a strength in some ways.

“I know we are not going to see eye to eye on a lot of things. And I think it’s going to be very robust. But what I will say one thing that we do share - and we may come from different points of view - is about frontline policing and what is required to support them to enable them to do the job.

“I know we’re going to have some robust discussions and we’re going to butt heads, that’s part of life. But what I want to be able to achieve is good outcomes for frontline police and my only advice to the acting commissioner, until the role is filled, is to focus on the frontline, look after them, ensure they’re resourced with equipment and legislation and support them to do their job.”

Mr Leavers said said Mr Gollschewski had a different style of leadership to Ms Carroll.

“And I’ve said yesterday Katarina is a very caring and compassionate person,” he said.

“She has a completely different skill set. Steve Gollschewski is direct. He’s hard. He’s no pushover but it will be a different style.

“But I think we’re at a point where we need direct decisive leadership and it needs to be done and I hope that’s what he does in his period as the acting commissioner.

“And if he decides to put in for the job, good luck to him like every other Queenslander.”

Mr Leavers said he wouldn’t comment on who he thought was best to fill the permanent role.

“I do not get a seat on the panel,” he said.

“I don’t pick the police commissioner. And that’s up for the government to have the due processes take place and appoint the best person for the job. That is what I hope.

“I’m not going to behave like the judiciary, the Law Society and the Bar (Association) who have an opinion on everything (and) if they don’t get their own way they behave like spoilt kids.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said Mr Gollschewski was Queensland’s most experienced deputy commissioner and was a highly regarded leader within the police service.

“Queenslanders know they can rely on Steve Gollschewski,” he said.

“We saw that during the response to Covid.

“The Queensland Police Service and the Queensland community are in good hands.”

Invitations for expression of interest for the permanent role will begin next week.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll last day as the state’s top cop is set for March 1. Picture: Dan Peled

The government said the selection panel would be made up of Public Service Commissioner David Mackie, Crime and Corruption Commission chair Bruce Barbour, Integrity Commissioner Linda Waugh, and Tasmanian Police Commissioner Donna Adams.

Mr Gollschewski was a deputy commissioner in the service before he was appointed special coordinator for police reform in November 2022, following the Commission of Inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence.

In that role he has also overseen the police response to the independent review of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, the response to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce’s Hear Her Voice reports and the Commission of Inquiry into forensic DNA testing in Queensland.

Mr Gollschewski was also a former state disaster coordinator and led the overall operational response to Covid-19 pandemic for the police service.