New Police Commissioner to continue making Queensland safer

Brett Pointing appointed as Queensland’s Police Commissioner.
Experienced policing leader to guide the Queensland Police Service to restore safety where you live and drive down the number of victims of crime.
Appointment follows the retirement of Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and delivering more police to the frontline to fight Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.

The Crisafulli Government has appointed Brett Pointing as the Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service, following the retirement of Steve Gollschewski, as it continues to make Queensland safer.

Newly appointed Commissioner Pointing will take over the role from 21 February 2026 for a period of 12 months and will be officially sworn in on Friday by Commissioner Gollschewski.

Mr Pointing brings more than 40 years of policing experience, having served in senior leadership roles including Deputy Commissioner, District Officer on the Gold Coast from 2004 to 2007 and disaster recovery coordinator for Bundaberg and the North Burnett in 2013 since he was sworn in on 18 September, 1981.

He has also been involved in significant reforms to help deliver protection for more victims of Domestic and Family Violence sooner, and has led efforts to combat criminal motorcycle gangs in Queensland, and has been recognised for numerous awards including the Australian Police Medal and the Queensland Police Service Medal.

Mr Pointing transitioned to the Australian Federal Police in 2020, and was on the Independent Advisory Panel of the Commissioner’s 100-Day Review of the Queensland Police Service which was driven by an urgent need to fix a broken system that saw officers leaving the service in droves during Labor’s decade of decline, and will continue to work through these key recommendations.

Throughout his career, Mr Pointing has demonstrated a strong commitment to frontline policing, community safety and supporting police officers to deliver the highest standard of service to Queenslanders.

The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer with more police, stronger laws and the resources they need, and has already delivered a 7.2 per cent reduction in the number of victims of crime in 2025 compared with the previous year, based on population.

The number of police on the frontline has also increased under the Crisafulli Government, with a net increase of 588 officers since the October 2024 election while unplanned attrition has dropped to 2.6 per cent – the lowest level in three years.

Premier David Crisafulli said Mr Pointing would continue the important work of making Queensland safer.

"Brett Pointing's experience will be invaluable in leading Queensland Police and restoring safety where you live," Premier Crisafulli said.

"We are starting to make important progress driving down the number of victims of crime in Queensland, but the job is far from done.

"With stronger laws, more police and the resources they need, we will continue restoring safety where you live."

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, and said the newly appointed Commissioner Pointing was the right person to lead the Queensland Police Service into its next chapter.

"Mr Pointing will continue to support our hardworking police officers and deliver strong, decisive leadership for Police," Minister Purdie said.

“He brings extensive operational experience, strong leadership, and a clear understanding of the challenges facing modern policing after Labor’s decade of decline.

"I thank outgoing Commissioner Gollschewski for his more than four decades of distinguished service."

Newly appointed Commissioner Pointing said it was an honour to be appointed to lead the Queensland Police Service.

“I am deeply humbled to have this opportunity, policing has always been in my blood,” Mr Pointing said.

“I am committed to strengthening community safety, stronger support for the frontline and investing resources where it matters most.

“It is great to be back in the Queensland Police, a place where I have strong personal connections.”

Outgoing Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said he had complete confidence in Mr Pointing’s leadership and the QPS is very fortunate to have such a profound leader.

“Brett is one of the most exceptional policing brains in the country,” Commissioner Gollschewski said.

“He is a leader of transformation, continuous improvement and operational policing at a state and national level.

“With his most recent advisory role on the 100-Day Review’s panel, he is best placed to continue the important reform work underway.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Scott, 0499 984 004