Women officers and staff from the Queensland Police Service (QPS) have been recognised for excellence in policing at an Australasian-wide awards ceremony held in Brisbane on Thursday October 24.
The annual Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP) Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by women within community safety and law enforcement, and who have elevated the quality of services provided to women in the community.
"I am incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements of women in policing, especially the QPS award recipients, finalists and nominees," said QPS Commissioner of Police, Steve Gollschewski APM.
"These awards acknowledge QPS women who are trailblazers in their field, excel as innovators and demonstrate enduring courage for their community."
Five QPS officers and staff together received four awards bestowed by ACWAP:
Senior Sergeant Deborah McDougall - The Most Outstanding Female Investigator Award
Senior Sergeant Deborah McDougall has a career spanning almost three decades within the Queensland Police Service (QPS. Her innovative approaches to road policing, positions her as a pioneer within the space and attests to her ongoing commitment to community safety.
Senior Sergeant Deborah McDougall was recognised for her investigative work in road safety, fraud and identity theft which led to significant breakthroughs, including uncovering fraud within a Q-Ride provider who distributed illegitimate motorcycle licenses to criminal motorcycle gang members.
"I do what I do, because I love it," said Senior Sergeant McDougall.
"I'm incredibly proud of the way in which Road Policing Intelligence Unit can support our community members who have experienced forms of identity theft by false nominations of speeding offences.
"Through my career, I've had to learn and embrace my own professional strengths.
"I'm so inspired by the women around me who've encouraged me, and that's only concreted being recognised alongside so many women innovators today."
Police Liaison Officers Akausha Savage and Millie Stephen - Integrity and Courage Award
QPS Police Liaison Officers (PLO) Akausha Savage and Millie Stephen were honoured for their bravery for resolving a dangerous domestic violence incident. The PLOs acted together to assist a woman being assaulted by her partner, and prevented further harm and trauma.
"Stepping in wasn't a choice - it was the right thing to do," said PLO Akausha. "In those moments, you focus on the person who needs help, not the risks."
PLO Stephen echoed this sentiment. "When you're in that situation, you draw on instinct and care for the community. Our role is to protect - no matter the circumstances."
Jill Clarke - The Bev Lawson Memorial Award
As Principal Health Clinician, Jill Clarke's role at QPS is pivotal in addressing workplace welfare and ongoing psychological impacts of workplace behaviours, underscored by the 2022 Commission of Inquiry which exposed thematic behaviours of racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia and bullying within the organisation.
Clarke was recognised for changing how QPS manages the mental health of its members with her innovative therapeutic approach addresses workplace welfare and the long-term psychological impacts of workplace behaviour.
"I'm incredibly honoured to be recognised with this award today and I'm proud of the impact I've had at QPS," said Clarke.
"It can be a daunting process lodging a complaint regarding workplace behaviours and we need to ensure we're looking after our people throughout that journey.
"By reaching out and offering a safe space for discussion and giving our people an avenue of support, we're better equipping our members in their day-to-day duties, which in turn benefits the community."
Carmen Walters – The Most Outstanding Female Administrator Award
Staff member and registered psychologist Carmen Walters was recognised for spearheading a self-referral initiative at QPS. She created a network of service providers for QPS staff to gain confidential access to internal and external support services, helping to promote mental, social and physical well-being.
Carmen entered the world of policing in 2016 with a student placement program, further flaming an existing interest in working alongside police personnel, after witnessing the unique challenges faced by family and friends working on frontline.
"I'm so proud of the self-referral program and all that it's achieved," said Walters.
"We ask so much of our officers and staff who deal with situations and realities every day that many people could never comprehend.
"It's so important that we ensure we offer them adequate support services and emphasise how important it is to seek help when it's needed."
