Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services the Honourable Mark Ryan MP joined Commissioner Katarina Carroll for the commissioning ceremony of a new Water Police Vessel today.
Queensland Police Vessel (QPV) Sally Urquhart is named in honour of fallen police officer Constable Sally Urquhart who sadly died in a plane crash on 7 May 2005 while travelling to Townsville for policing duties.
Minister Ryan said naming the vessel in honour of Constable Sally Urquhart was an important way for the Queensland community to continue to honour Sally's life and to ensure her service to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Queensland community more broadly was never forgotten.
"By naming this vessel in honour of Constable Urquhart, we acknowledge the bravery and dedication Sally displayed in her service to Queensland," Minister Ryan said.
"Sally served the QPS and the Queensland community with honour and it is only right that her legacy of service continues in the form of QPV Sally Urquhart."
Commissioner Carroll said with the launch of the new vessel, we pay our highest honours and respect to our fallen officer Sally Urquhart and thank her for her commitment to serving Queensland.
"QPV Sally Urquhart will be utilised in the provision and response to policing incidents across the Gold Coast and Logan, including search and rescue operations as well as being an integral vessel in our COVID-19 response," Commissioner Carroll said.
"The QPV Sally Urquhart would be joining the Gold Coast Water Police fleet, currently made up of four vessels.
"Gold Coast Water Police currently provides a policing response to the Gold Coast and Logan Districts inclusive of its inland waterways.
"With the addition of QPV Sally Urquhart, a high-speed monohull patrol and enforcement vessel, the state-wide Water Police Group will have an increased ability to service the coastline."
"QPV Sally Urquhart has undergone sea trials, QPS crew training, a QPS specific 'fit out' and familiarisation and is now fully operational."
