Queen’s Birthday honours for keeping Queenslanders safe

Six Queensland Police Service officers, three Fire and Emergency Services officers and four Queensland Corrective Services officers have been recognised as part of the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours celebrations.
“The latest recipients of these national honours have demonstrated exceptional levels of dedication to Queensland and to community safety,’’ Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Service Minister Mark Ryan said today.

“Queenslanders can rest assured that we have dedicated officers ensuring our safety and helping us in times of need,’’ Minister Ryan said.

“I want to personally thank these officers for their hard work and for winning these awards.’’

Australian Police Medals were awarded to:

Detective Inspector Leonie Steyger was sworn into the QPS in 1991. She excelled in the investigative field and is responsible for leading serious child harm investigations, involving harrowing circumstances.

Detective Senior Sergeant Emma Novosel joined the QPS in 1995 and is currently the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Mackay District Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU

Senior Sergeant Gary Hunter joined the Service in 1988 and is the current OIC of the Cairns City Police Beat where he has served for 11 years. He has been instrumental in changing the face of policing in Cairns Central Business District.

Senior Sergeant Richard McIntosh commenced with the QPS in 1989 and is the current OIC of Goondiwindi Police Station where he has served for 15 years. He has been instrumental in developing community cohesion and youth engagement, particularly with First Nations initiatives.

Sergeant Paul James joined the QPS in 1991 and is the current OIC of Duaringa Police Station where he has served for 15 years. He is well known for being an exemplary example of a police officer in charge of a small country police station.

Sergeant William Johnson was sworn into the QPS in 1982 and is currently serving as a Senior Coronial Support Officer and a Disaster Victim Identification Officer.

QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll said every little thing the award recipients had experienced throughout their lives made them perfect police officers. 

“Police officers aren’t born, they’re made,” she said.

“The APM is the highest award bestowed on a police officer. The six QPS officers being awarded the APM have demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment in their service to the Queensland community.''

Australia Fire Service Medals and Emergency Service Medal went to:

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal. Commissioner Leach has worked for multiple emergency agencies in Senior Executive positions, becoming QFES Commissioner in 2019.

Rural Fire Service Inspector Mark Doble was awarded the AFSM for his devotion, professionalism and commitment to providing first-class capability for volunteers and the community.

Elliot Dunn, an Emergency Management Coordinator in Northern Region, was awarded the Emergency Service Medal (ESM) for his invaluable advice and disaster management support to rural and remote communities in Queensland.

Australian Corrections Medals were awarded to:

Correctional Supervisor Tony Tarlowski has devoted 35 years to keeping Townsville Correctional Complex safe. He is responsible for training the state’s corrections dog teams and assists with identifying and developing dog breeding and training programs for QCS dog squad operations.

Superintendent Peter Coyne has been responsible for strategically leading the delivery of secure and safe transportation and escort services of prisoners to and from correctional facilities, medical centres and courthouses.

Superintendent Nicole Duke leads community corrections services in the Brisbane region. Superintendent Duke shows an unwavering commitment to reduce crime and improve safety in the community through the meaningful supervision and rehabilitation of offenders.

Superintendent Robert Wood. As Brisbane Correctional Centre Deputy General Manager, Superintendent Wood has served QCS with an absolute dedication to duty, including playing a key role in the agency’s recent transformation.

Media contacts:

Minister’s office 303 8300

QPS: 3015 2444

QCS: 3565 7824
QFS: 35653319