Former Queensland Police Service deputy commissioner Paul Taylor to run in council election

After months of speculation, the former Queensland Police deputy commissioner has confirmed his intention to run for Cairns Regional Council.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner for Regional Queensland Paul Taylor has announced he will run for the office of Cairns Mayor in next year's local government elections. Picture: Brendan Radke

Paul Taylor, the former Queensland Police Service deputy commissioner, has confirmed he will run for Cairns mayor in 2024.

Mr Taylor has been considering the tilt since discussions with the late Kevin Byrne, a former mayor and local powerbroker, in August.

At the time Mr Byrne said the environment was right for Mr Taylor to go for the city’s top job as local crime rates were the most important issue for voters.

But Mr Taylor, who is running independent of any team association, said he would be more than just a “law an order” mayor.

“Team’s have run their course, in my view. Two of the most popular, enthusiastic and passionate councillors at the moment are independents. I think politics shouldn’t be in local government,” he said.

“There will be nine other councillors, that will be the team. A mayor should galvanise action with whoever they work with.

“The role of a good leader is to bring people together and set a vision. I will be putting a strong focus on partnerships, not just concerning community safety but on a range of things.

“You need to be able to advocate to both sides of politics. I have a history of collaborating across government.”

Mr Taylor served with Queensland Police for 45 years including a stint as the Northern Region’s Assistant Commissioner from 2015 to 2020 where he co-ordinated major policing operations that targeted young and adult offenders and resulted in hundreds of arrests.

He was then promoted to Deputy Commissioner Regional Queensland.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner for Regional Queensland Paul Taylor has announced he will run for the office of Cairns Mayor in next year's local government elections. Picture: Brendan Radke

He resigned in August 2022 shortly after a high-level police inquiry revealed he’d referred to a friend, a gynaecologist, as a “vagina whisperer” during a speech at a Brisbane law enforcement conference four months earlier.

Mr Taylor has said he never intended offence with the comments, had apologised and wanted a new career and cause that served the community.

“The true legacy of a mayor is not the four years they’re in, but the ten years following,” he said.

“I’m wedded to delivering for the community. I live in Cairns. I love Cairns and I want Cairns to do well.”

Mr Taylor said economic growth, commercial investment in the city and considerate development would be among his priorities.

“The city has a lot to offer … the CBD needs commercial entities to invest here,” he said.

“But we need to manage growth in a way that brings everyone along the journey. It’s important to respect people invested in Cairns’ idyllic lifestyle.

“This is an opportunity for Cairns to capture its true potential.”

Originally published as Former Queensland Police Service deputy commissioner Paul Taylor to run in council election