Yahoo Finance State’s new top cop named
Queensland’s Acting Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has been tapped to take on the top job.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles announced the 21st commissioner of Queensland Police on Monday.
Having worked on the force for 44 years, Ms Gollschewski will carry on with the role after holding the acting position since former Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll resigned on March 21.
Mr Miles said Mr Gollschewski would provide “continuity” for the police service.
Mr Gollschewski said he planned to make sure the community “feels safe” through his leadership.
“I am honoured to lead an exceptional organisation dedicated to keeping Queensland safe,” he said.
“Policing is in my blood, having come from a police family and serving as a proud member of the QPS for more than 44 years.
“The QPS is a growing organisation with new and varied challenges on the horizon; however, our people are incredibly committed and we will continue to build on our achievements while delivering high quality services.
“Our primary focus is about ensuring the community is safe and feels safe while also making sure our workforce is supported and feels supported.”
Mr Gollschewski said domestic and family violence reforms would be a priority under his new leadership.
“Much more needs to be done for the victims of domestic and family violence to make sure the perpetrators are held to account but also for our police who are dealing with over 140,000 calls for service every year.
“It is an enormous challenge for our organisation and we must do more.”
Mr Gollschewski said he wanted to involve the community in the way policing was carried out.
“I’m a straight-to-the point person, I understand the role of policing,” he said.
“We’re not here to police the community, we're here to police with the community.
“It is about getting the balance right, making sure we don’t drop the ball on things that might be tracking OK but prioritising those things that we need to improve.”
Mr Miles said Mr Gollschewski would be a valuable asset to keeping Queensland safe.
“I worked closely with Steve during Covid and he is an extraordinarily competent and experienced leader,” Mr Miles said.
“As acting commissioner he acted quickly to initiate new statewide police operations including Operation Whiskey Legion.
“Under his strong leadership, these operations have shown early signs of success and significantly disrupted and prevented crime.”
Earning $650,000 a year, Ms Carroll’s five-year contract was due to expire on July 8.
Having held the top job for five years, Ms Carroll said she had decided to quit in an effort to help QPS find stability after a Gold Coast police officer was stood down from his duties over claims he ordered officers to ram a stolen car.
The managerial decision to stand the officer down led to many calling for Ms Carroll to resign over her handling of the situation.
“What happened with this heightened speculation and chatter, I just want the air to be clear because it is about the organisation doing remarkable work,” she said in February when she announced her resignation.
“I think that’s what I want. I don’t want the distraction for the QPS.
“I just want people to concentrate on what we’ve done, what we’ve achieved and what we intend to do.”
