Emotional farewell but no regrets as cop takes new job

STAMPING out insidious crimes at a national level will be the new focus of a cop who spent 22 years of her career on the Sunshine Coast.

Former Sunshine Coast police officer Acting Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz speaks with Senior Sergeant Kelly McAuliffe and Sergeant Ange McCarthy on her last day with the Queensland Police Service. Picture: Contributed

STAMPING out insidious crimes at a national level will be the new focus of a cop who spent 22 years of her career on the Sunshine Coast.

Debbie Platz has resigned from her Acting Assistant Commissioner role with the Queensland Police Service to take on a new Canberra-based role as an Assistant Commissioner with the Australian Federal Police.

Assistant Commissioner Platz has been appointed national manager of crime operations and will officially start in the job on January 23.

It comes after she was recognised with the International Association of Women Police's Officer of the Year award in October last year.

The decision to leave the job she "loved every minute of" after 31 years of service was a difficult one.

She started with Queensland police in 1985 when she was 20.

Former Sunshine Coast police officer Acting Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz walks with Commissioner Brett Ponting on her last day with the Queensland Police Service. Picture: Contributed

"During a few days I was torn between my heart and mind as to which role to take," Assistant Commissioner Platz said.

"However at the end of the day I really thrive on challenges and I believe that the Australian Federal Police will offer me that challenge."

Her new portfolio includes drug importation, money laundering and incidents in onshore immigration detention centres.

It also has a strong emphasis in victim-based crimes such as combating child sexual assault, people smuggling, human trafficking and kidnapping for ransom.

"These are all critical, complex investigations that can impact on many Australians so it is critical to be innovative and thorough. 　

"My role will be to provide leadership, support, guidance and resources to the staff dedicated to stamping these insidious crimes out of our communities."

Assistant Commissioner Platz said it was important that policing agencies considered the future as crime and criminals became highly technical and highly mobile.

"Part of my role will be to develop and encourage new, innovative ways to do this. 　

"It is critical that we know what works, what doesn't and where to aim our main efforts."

She reflected on her career experiences and how they shaped the outcomes she wanted to achieve.

"Policing is a diverse occupation. 　

"You see the worst of people, especially with family violence and child exploitation but you also see the best in people especially when communities come together to help each other with enormous courage and compassion. 　

"One thing I have learnt is that policing cannot operate without the community trusting and assisting us in efforts to keep our families safe and secure.

"In my new role I hope to be able to bring together many groups and community members from across our country to plan for our safer futures."

Former Sunshine Coast police officer Acting Assistant Commissioner Debbie Platz waves goodbye on her last day with the Queensland Police Service. Picture: Contributed

Assistant Commissioner Platz's family home will remain on the Sunshine Coast but her visits to it will become less frequent.

Her dedication and skill as a leader with the Queensland Police Service was recognised with a Meritorious Service Medal signed by Commissioner Ian Stewart.

It was an achievement in which she took great pride.

"Over the last few years I have discussed with many Queensland Police Service officers, especially female officers, the importance of never saying no to an opportunity.

"Had I not have taken this opportunity with the Australian Federal Police I am sure I would always wonder 'what if'. 　

Assistant Commissioner Platz said she would always fondly remember her last day with Queensland police, when a bagpiper played her out as she walked past her friends and colleagues at the police academy at Oxley.

"Although I shed many tears and it was very emotional, I have no regrets as I embark on my new challenge.

"Of course I will miss my friends, colleagues and the Queensland community, but in the Australian Federal Police I will still be able to help them, albeit at a different level."　　

Originally published as Emotional farewell but no regrets as cop takes new job