‘Day-by-day. Minute-by-minute’: these incredible women have watched the police force evolve

Entering into a male-dominated field, these Darling Downs policewomen have seen the industry evolve over last 30 years and said there are endless opportunities for women who want to wear a badge.

Celebrating 60 years of women in policing are (from left) Toowoomba Highway Patrol officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Kim Hill, Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Smithard and Warwick Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It has been 60 years since the first female police officers were sworn in to the Queensland Police Service and these three Darling Downs officers have seen the organisation evolve over the last three decades into a workplace where women can thrive.

Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit Senior Sergeant Paula Smithard said joining the Police Academy as a 19-year-old girl was an eye opening experience, especially as someone who grew up with sisters and graduated from an all girls school.

“To go to my first domestic violence incident at the Gold Coast, it really opened my eyes,” she said.

“But that’s what makes you stronger and that's what makes you more resilient.

“It cemented that this is the job that I really wanted to do and I can help the Queensland community by being a part of this great organisation.”

Celebrating 60 years of women in policing are (from left) Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Smithard, Toowoomba Highway Patrol officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Kim Hill and Warwick Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sergeant Smithard said ‘day-by-day, minute-by-minute’ she can see the difference that she makes in the community.

“We give a little bit of ourselves every single day that we come to work,” she said.

“It’s really important to have balance within the workplace.

“We have different techniques that we can take into a situation,” Sergeant Smithard said.

“We have excellent communication skills and that's maybe something that we bring to our job which is a little bit different than the men that serve.”

Celebrating 60 years of women in policing are (from left) Toowoomba Highway Patrol officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Kim Hill, Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Smithard and Warwick Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After 33 years in the police, Warwick patrol group Inspector Kelly Hanlen said she has seen a huge improvement for policewomen and has watched the number of women in the force increase over time.

“Its not always a job that women want to join,” she said.

“Not everybody wants to wrestle a six foot four drunk, in the middle of the main street but it has some really important parts to it.”

Inspector Hanlen said as society evolves the QPS has evolved.

“We just have so much more opportunity for women these days,” she said.

“Girls can do anything, so I never had that fear that I couldn’t do anything.”

Celebrating 60 years of women in policing are (from left) Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Unit officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Paula Smithard, Toowoomba Highway Patrol officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Kim Hill and Warwick Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Senior Sergeant Kim Hill is currently the only female officer in charge of a highway patrol unit in the state and said it is challenging to inspire other women to enter that space.

“You do have a lot of challenges in terms of navigating culture and perceptions.”

Sergeant Hill said the organisation has become a more supportive place for women over the years and she thinks women in leadership positionsare now just the same as any of the men.

“Culture wise, I’ve seen an evolution in the organisation since I started,” she said.

“We now have so many opportunities within the organisation that women can explore.”