Former Queensland Police Commissioner Jim O’Sullivan, who re-built the state’s police service in the wake of the Fitzgerald inquiry, has died, aged 85.
Premier Steven Miles said Mr O’Sullivan was a key figure during the historic Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption, providing expert assistance to Tony Fitzgerald.
Premier Miles said on becoming Police Commissioner in 1992, Mr O’Sullivan continued the critical reform process.
“Mr O’Sullivan played a key role in reforming and modernising the Queensland Police Service (QPS),” he said.
“He helped the police service navigate the post-Fitzgerald era and helped to restore public confidence in police.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said Mr O’Sullivan was “a gentlemen of the highest order” and “exactly the sort of person Queensland needed as Police Commissioner in the wake of the Fitzgerald Inquiry”.
“Ethical, professional and dedicated to serving the people of Queensland, Jim led by example, to ensure the Queensland Police Service would emerge from the dark days of the pre-Fitzgerald era a better, more community based and thoroughly professional organisation,” Minister Ryan said.
Current Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said Mr O’Sullivan guided the Queensland Police Service (QPS) with distinction from 1992 to 2000.
“He has left a legacy of integrity, humility, and unwavering dedication from his 41 years of service during which he made a significant and positive impact on the QPS and Queensland community,” Commissioner Gollschewski said.
“He will be remembered as a pioneering leader in the QPS who helped shape the contemporary police service we have today.”
