QPS recognised for COVID-19 response 

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) COVID-19 response has been recognised as an exceptional community safety initiative, receiving a Premier’s Award for Excellence.

Taskforce Sierra Linnet, the QPS’ specialist COVID-19 response team, was named the winner in the Keeping communites safe category at the ceremony last night.

Established on February 2, 2020, the Taskforce has been a significant part of the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, leading a compliance regime of an unprecedented nature, scale and duration.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the QPS had and would continue to focus on providing support to the public health response through implementing, adapting and improving the operational response to the pandemic through an innovative compliance regime.

“The rapid and frequent changes to public health measures in place in Queensland have required extraordinary levels of responsibility and scalability from the taskforce to operationalise compliance activities,” Commissioner Carroll said.

“The low case numbers of COVID-19 in Queensland is a testament to the outstanding delivery and coordination of this team. This is not only a reflection of the QPS’ compliance activities, but also the hard work of healthcare and frontline workers and the Queensland community.

“I would like to give my personal thanks, not only to our operational police working on the frontline to keep communities safe, but to our partner agencies and all Queenslanders who have followed the Chief Health Officer’s guidelines and supported us during this time.

“It is an incredible honour to receive such a prestigious award alongside other exceptional public service initiatives.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan commended the Queensland Police Service for its outstanding work during a very challenging period.

“Queenslanders have witnessed yet again the professionalism of our world class police service.

“During a period unlike any other in our lifetimes, our police have been on the front line keeping the community safe.

“That’s what our police do.

“They keep the community safe.”

The Premier’s Awards for Excellence recognises the exceptional work of individuals, initiatives and teams driving and implementing change across the Queensland public sector and our state.

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444