The Queensland Police Service (QPS) proudly recognises seven officers who will be awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) in this year's Australia Day Honours for their impressive contribution to policing.
Announced in January and June, on Australia Day and the King's Birthday, the APM recognises the unsung heroes who deserve both thanks and recognition for their service to the community.
Now in its 39th year, these awards recognise those officers who have performed service at a level above that which would be expected of someone in their position or have made significant achievements.
Commissioner of Police, Steve Gollschewski APM, said he admired the dedicated and outstanding work of this year's APM recipients.
"I extend my sincere congratulations to each officer on receiving this significant honour and thank them for their dedicated service," Commissioner Gollschewski said.
"These officers exemplify the values of the Queensland Police Service and represent the commitment and professionalism of the men and women I have the privilege to serve alongside every day.
"I express my gratitude to all officers for their exceptional efforts in ensuring the safety and security of our community."
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the recipients offered a powerful example to all Australians.
"These officers have dedicated their lives to keeping Queenslanders safe, with more than 250 years of combined policing experience under their belts," Minister Purdie said.
"From protecting our most vulnerable to forging better pathways for minority groups, you represent the very best of the Police Service, and our national character.
"Thank you for everything you do to make this a better state, and a better country."
The worthy recipients from the Queensland Police Service:
Chief Inspector Gai Bolderrow commenced with the QPS on in September 1986 and was sworn in as a police officer in April 1987. She has served as an operational police officer all her career including as a general duties officer, officer in charge, district duty officer, state intelligence coordinator and is currently a manager of Digital Forensics and Forensic Services in the Operations Support Command.
During her service, she has demonstrated exceptional commitment in directly supporting the advancements of inclusion and diversity on behalf of the QPS. Chief Inspector Bolderrow has displayed personal bravery, together with the highest levels of professional determination, to bridge gaps between the LGBTIQ+ communities and the QPS, and in doing so, has brought positive change to the service delivery provided by the organisation. She has displayed steadfast leadership in the face of adversity to promote a strong LGBTIQ+ support network for all QPS members and has subsequently provided caring support and effective mentoring to others. She has worked tirelessly to actively promote the inclusion and diversity advances of the QPS to government and non-government organisations both locally and internationally on a range of initiatives designed to positively impact LGBTIQ+ persons across Queensland.
Chief Inspector Bolderrow's professional dedication has enhanced the professional standing of the QPS, driving forward measurable change and bridging gaps through the forging of strong partner relationships.
Detective Sergeant Stuart Butler commenced with the QPS in April 1990 and was sworn in as a police officer in November of that year. He served all his service as an operational police officer, initially as a general duties officer and the remainder of his career as a criminal investigator. He has become an experienced investigator in the area of child abuse and has played a key role in building the QPS capability to target online child sexual exploitation.
Detective Sergeant Butler has worked in general duties conducting frontline policing in the Regional Criminal Investigation Branch, and since November 2000, has dedicated his career to complex and protracted child protection investigations targeting organised and serial paedophilia. He has led state, national and international child protection operations, investigated historical institutional sexual abuse cases and performed the challenging role of covert online operative.
Detective Sergeant Butler has been recognised internationally for his work in pioneering the investigation of online child exploitation investigations, delivering capability training to multiple nations in the developing world. He has also represented the QPS at international child protection forums where he has helped foster collaborative networks across international boundaries to improve operational efficiencies in undertaking international child protection investigations. His work has led to the rescue of hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse across the world, highlighting the benefits of international cooperation to reduce the sexual exploitation
of some of the most vulnerable members of the community - our children.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Devine commenced his service with the QPS in September 1986 and was sworn in as a police officer on in April 1987. He has served all his career as an operational police officer in Far North Queensland, serving initially as a general duties officer then the remainder of his career as an investigator in criminal investigation branches including as an officer in charge.
He is widely recognised as a mentor and supportive leader who encourages innovation by investigators under his stewardship and has been integral in the development of junior officers in the field of criminal investigation. Detective Senior Sergeant Devine is renowned as a conscientious, committed, tenacious and meticulous investigator. He has remained committed to community safety throughout his career and has a passion for working with First Nations communities.
Detective Senior Sergeant Devine has been a frontline operational police officer his entire career. He has extensive policing experience throughout communities in the far north, including Aurukun. He commenced as an investigator in the Cairns Drug Squad in 1993 and achieved his detective's appointment in 1998 whilst he was performing duties in the Cairns Criminal Investigations Branch.
Detective Senior Sergeant Devine transferred to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait where he enhanced his investigative career and become well regarded across several state and federal government agencies for his practical approach to policing and his extraordinary ability to achieve shared outcomes in a dynamic operating environment. Detective Senior Sergeant Devine has been the officer in charge of Mareeba Crime Investigations Branch since 2006.
Senior Sergeant Jacinta Pannowitz commenced with QPS in August 1993 and was sworn in as a police officer in 1998. She has served as an operational officer all her career, having served as a general duties officer, a criminal investigator, shift supervisor and as the officer in charge of the Loganholme Police Station. She has undertaken specialised projects including the South Eastern Region Wellbeing project and is currently relieving as the acting inspector of the Internal Witness Support Unit due to her significant work in supporting officers exposed to psychological injury and/or discipline processes.
Since the age of 17, she has assisted the Logan community in various capacities ranging from civilian administrative functions within the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), frontline response as a sworn officer and specialist investigator within the CIB, becoming the first female officer to attain the role of Officer in Charge of a station within Logan District.
Senior Sergeant Pannowitz has faced significant challenges, including a serious on duty traffic incident in which she had to re-learn how to walk. She has been tasked with investigating and solving multiple homicides and attending a fatal house fire in which multiple adults and children perished.
Most notably, affecting both her professional and personal life, she tragically attended the domestic homicide of a family member in 2019 which has had a profound and lasting impact on her as a daughter, mother, wife and police officer.
She has role modelled resilience, compassion, empathy and professionalism and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to victims of domestic and family violence within the community whilst fundraising and advocating for victim-survivors and their children in her own time. Senior Sergeant Pannowitz is a committed mentor to others, is highly regarded by her colleagues and has actively contributed to influencing cultural change within the QPS with respect to coercive control.
Superintendent Glen Pointing commenced with QPS in February 1983 and was sworn in on 6 July 1984. He has served as an operational police officer for all of his service, having worked as a general duties officer, criminal investigator, patrol inspector and district officer. He quickly advanced to investigative roles as a detective and became renowned as a tenacious investigator and manager of serious criminal investigations. He was appointed as the officer in charge of the Thursday Island Criminal Investigation Branch in 1999 before moving into specialist criminal investigation squads in State Crime Command, including Homicide, as an operations leader.
Utilising his investigative and communications skills he moved into a variety of corporate functions as a project officer, human resources manager and development officer before being promoted to inspector. Constantly working to improve his capability, he moved into various district leadership roles and was instrumental in developing the Logan District's 2013 service restructure implementation.
Recognised as an exemplary police officer, investigator, corporate leader and manager, he was promoted to superintendent in 2017 and has been appointed to various district officer portfolios since that time. Superintendent Ponting has excelled in the management of policing regional, rural, and remote communities. He is highly regarded as a respectful, compassionate manager with the welfare of his staff at the forefront of his priorities, whilst working tirelessly to build partnerships, improve service delivery, and enhance community safety.
Senior Sergeant Constance Steel joined QPS in May 1988 and was sworn in as a police officer in December 1988. She has served as an operational police officer all her career, including as a general duties officer, support officer, shift supervisor and is currently a regional strategy and performance officer in the Northern Region.
As a leader in modern law enforcement, she embodies the personal and professional qualities sought after in today's policing landscape. Her extensive experience in operational policing is complemented by her consistently high performance in corporate and support roles within the QPS. Senior Sergeant Steel is well-regarded in the Northern Region and across the broader QPS for her knowledge, professionalism, and willingness to provide support and assistance. She consistently demonstrates dedication, skill and expertise in operational policing practices, organisational improvement, and professional development.
Her effectiveness in key positions spans operational, intelligence, corporate and support roles. Senior Sergeant Steel is known for her unwavering commitment to providing top-tier support at all levels of the service. Her strategic approach to organisational challenges underscores her dedication to policing the Queensland community.
Assistant Commissioner Christopher Stream joined QPS in January 1989, was sworn in as a police officer in June 1990 and has spent all of his career as an operational police officer. He has served as a mechanic, general duties officer, a public safety response officer, tactician, operations manager, assistant district officer and is currently the assistant commissioner in charge of Road Policing and Regional Support Command.
Assistant Commissioner Christopher Stream has excelled in a wide range of policing appointments, demonstrating a high level of commitment, skill, and expertise in operational policing practices, organisational improvement, and professional development. Known for his integrity and resourcefulness in operational planning and organisational improvement, Assistant Commissioner Stream has held various leadership roles including in the Road Policing and Regional Support Command, Crime Support and Patrol Services in the North Brisbane District, the Security and Counter Terrorism Command, a Deputy District Disaster Coordinator, Specialist Emergency Response Team, and Public Safety Response Team.
Assistant Commissioner Stream's leadership style, characterised by compassion, authenticity, and adaptability, is particularly notable for his prioritisation of the well-being and safety of his team members. This approach has earned their respect and support, instilling confidence in his leadership. His efforts to implement change and innovation, focusing on partnerships, inclusion, and diversity, have profoundly impacted the Queensland community, resulting in elevated policing standards and a safer, more inclusive environment for all. His dedication to policing, road safety, and the community has left an indelible mark across his career with the QPS.
