Museum

The Bollon Police Station received its first bicycle for town patrols in 1901.

In 1903 Inspector Breene reported that the two cells connected to the barracks were too confined during the summer months, and that prisoners had complained about ventilation.

Letter requesting the agistment of the Post Master’s horse within the Bollon police paddock.
Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

This issue of restricted ventilation was raised again in 1920 when Dr McDonald, the Balonne Shire Health Officer, accompanied by the Shire Clerk, Mr Tovey, inspected the police barracks and outhouses. They found the only cell in use, situated at the rear of the barracks was “too small and too badly ventilated and should be reconstructed”. The other cell was being used as a storeroom. Mr Gilbert, the Inspector for Public Works also made an inspection and recommended the construction of a new cell to be separate from the barracks. The officer in charge and his family would then be spared from the foul language and the smell of prisoners in close proximity to their sleeping quarters. Due to financial constraints the new cell for the Bollon Police Station was not commenced until April 1925.

In January 1934 water was laid onto the police quarters from the main going straight past the station. Constable Elstob reported that the water supply was controlled by the Balonne Shire Council. It consisted of two big tanks erected on high blocks on the bank of a permanent water hole in the Wallum Creek about three hundred yards from the police station. The water was pumped into the tanks by means of an oil engine, and then distributed through pipes around the town and to individual premises, with a fair force of water being obtained.

At the end of 1933 Constable Elstob had requested a number of improvements be carried out on the police quarters to make them more comfortable. An inspection by the Department of Public Works recommended the building of a new police residence;

“The house is too small to be suitable as a residence and is too close to the ground. The inside is dilapidated from old age, and a shower of fine dust continuously falls from the ceiling causing a great deal of work and inconvenience.

At this time the police buildings were described as consisting of a;

“ …dwelling of three rooms with two old non used cells attached, and a verandah in the front, also a detached one roomed kitchen. The Justice Department buildings consist of one Court House and one closet. The Court house is used as a Police, and Court of Petty Sessions Office. Both Justice and Police buildings are situated in the one enclosure which consists of a K wire fence along the frontage and ordinary netting on the three other sides.”

Erection of the new police residence was commenced on 13 May 1935, and completed on 8 October. A new Court House was also constructed. The old residence, detached kitchen, and court house were sold for removal.

The new residence consisted of three bedrooms, one sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and a small pantry. It had a verandah along the front and eastern side. The building was on high stumps, the external walls were made of hardwood weatherboards, and the internal walls of white pine. The roof was of galvanised iron. The new Court House consisted of two rooms; the main court house room, and an office at the back.

In 1936 Acting Sergeant Elstob reported on the condition of the house rented by his married constable. Although the most suitable house for rent in Bollon, the outside walls had opened up, and as it was not lined, dust and cold winds were entering through the numerous cracks adding to the occupant’s discomfort.

After consideration of various allotments, and discussion with the Balonne Shire Council, it was found that allotment 7, of section 4, on Belmore Street, next to the existing police reserve was found to be the most suitable. It was purchased for ₤20, and reserved for police purposes on 14 April 1938. Tenders for the erection of a married constable’s residence were called for in December 1939, with the residence completed in July 1940.

On the 5 September 1951, one Ariel motorcycle and sidecar was received at the station for patrol duties. This was replaced with a BSA motorcycle outfit on 9 November 1955, but found to be unsuitable for the bad roads and the work required. On 2 January 1957, the station received a Holden utility.

These new BSA motorcycles pictured outside Petrie Terrace Police Depot, c1955, being inspected by Police Inspectors Cecil Risch and Frederick Palethorpe; one of them may have made it to Bollon.
Image PM0339 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

With the completion of an electric light plant in Bollon, the police buildings were connected to the electricity supply in September 1954.

Due to insufficient space to store police records, an extension was added to the existing police office in 1965. The building consisted of a general public office with counter, and a police office.

Bollon Police Station.
Image No. PM0326b courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au

“FROM the VAULT- Bollon Between 1900 and 1965” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

Boulia was gazetted in 1879 when a reserve for the purposes of a township was set aside in the vicinity of the Boulia Waterhole, by the Burke River.

The first record of a police presence in Boulia is noted at the beginning of 1881, when it appears a police station operated briefly, before closing down and reopening later that year. The station was manned by three constables and one tracker.

Further police support was provided by a detachment of Native Mounted Police led by Sub Inspector Ernest Eglinton. Eglinton patrolled the Burke River area from 1878 until he was appointed Police Magistrate at Boulia on 22 March 1884. He held this post until 1888 when he was transferred to Port Douglas.

Letter refers to the Boulia Police Station Reserve, dated November 6, 1882. Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.	A section of the accompanying map of Boulia township. Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

On 29 January 1883, a Reserve for Police Purposes was gazetted in Boulia. The total area was three acres, and comprised of Allotments 3 to 8 of Section 3. A police station was then erected at a cost of ₤770. On the 8 January 1885, tenders were called for the erection of a new court house on the police reserve at Boulia. The court house was completed by 1886 at a cost of ₤1,865.

In December 1894, the Commissioner of Police, reported to the Colonial Secretary, that due to the recent decision to transfer the headquarters of the Gregory District from Cloncurry to a more central position at Boulia, accommodation would be needed for the Sub Inspector. It was ascertained that a four roomed weatherboard house, with hipped roof, a 10-foot verandah all round, a detached kitchen and three large tanks would be required. Boulia police station records do not indicate if the building was built.

On the 8 May 1897, Inspector Brannelly inspected the station and found it to be clean and in fair order. He held a parade under arms, where Sub Inspector McNamara, Acting Sergeant O’Connor, and Constables Tracey, Peters and Leonard were present. It was noted that stump caps were required for the court house and barracks to prevent white ants going into these buildings. The police dray also required overhauling and a coat of paint.

In July 1901, the Boulia Divisional Board applied for the transfer of one quarter of an acre of the Police Reserve to the Board. The eastern end of the Police Reserve facing Herbert Street, and adjoining allotment 2 was surrendered without objection.

Sub Inspector John Quilter inspected the station in November 1906, and described the barracks as consisting of four rooms, and two cells, of galvanised iron and weatherboards. The detached kitchen was described as being built of slabs, which was in a tumbledown and dangerous condition as it was propped up all round with large logs. The privy consisted of a few old bags nailed to bush timber, and there was no bathroom. The entire premises were in a dilapidated condition and not worth repairing. New buildings were urgently needed. He also remarked, “As most of the stations in the Boulia District have been sold to a big southern buyer who has removed most of the cattle from the District, and with them a large number of employees, hence crime is on the decrease. The country around Boulia is fairly well watered and grassed at present”.

Plan of the Boulia Police Station, 1903.
Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

In 1907, Sub Inspector John McGrath reported that a new building was required at Boulia to replace the old barracks and cells which had been eaten away by white ants. New barracks could not be erected for under ₤700. He noted that the court house at Boulia was large with three offices at the back. He suggested that two of the offices could be occupied by the two constables and used as barracks. He also stated that the court house was only occupied by police as offices. Chief Inspector Urquhart stated that he preferred to keep the police station separate from the court house.

At the end of August 1908, the new barracks and cells built of wood and iron had been completed. There were five rooms, a kitchen and bathroom. The two cells were separate from the barracks.

In June 1912, the Boulia Shire Council requested that the eastern half of allotment 8 of section 3, being part of the Police Reserve of 2 and ¾ acres be reserved for council purposes. The Council required the land to build dray sheds at the rear of the Shire Hall. The land was transferred without objection from Police administration.

On the 13 October 1921, a damaging storm blew 18 sheets of iron off the old police station barracks, which was used as a storeroom and the tracker’s quarters. Some minor damage was done to the newer police quarters, and the closets of both the police quarters and court house were blown over. Constable Hudd and Constable Lewis retrieved 11 sheets of iron and were forced to pull down a part of the back verandah of the old quarters to make up enough iron to cover the roof of the same building.

During 1932 an additional verandah was erected on the eastern side of the police quarters to provide much needed shade during the summer months.

In July 1934, Acting Sergeant Rountree reported on the condition of the police buildings. He recorded the old police barracks as being in a dilapidated condition, but being used to house the Tracker, stores and saddlery. The court house where the police office was housed was in a fair condition after recent painting. The police residential quarters were also in good repair.

We’ll look at 1935 onwards in next week’s entry.

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“FROM the VAULT- Boulia Police Station” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

In 1935 approval was given to Reverend Lanham of the Federal Methodist Inland Mission to demolish and remove the dilapidated police hut located on Herbert Street, Boulia. This was completed several months later, but as the hut had been used as a wash house, its removal meant washing was ‘done in the yard without any shelter, and a new wash-house is urgently required’. During 1936, water from the town supply was connected to the police station, making the addition of a more modern wash house easier. This was eventually completed at the Sergeant’s quarters, presumably leaving the Constable to continue washing in the yard.

Constable Gordon Campbell of Boulia Station died on 7 July 1937 while undergoing an appendix operation at Boulia Hospital. His funeral was one of the largest seen in the town and he is buried in the Boulia Shire Cemetery.

On 24 November 1941, the erection of new tracker’s quarters was completed by the contractor, a local resident named Mr Bates.

A new Land Rover utility was received at Boulia in 1954. As there was no garage to house the vehicle, Sergeant 2/c Holley received permission to build a shed of bush timber to be roofed with bulrushes. Mr Bates was again engaged to complete the work, and with the assistance of the Tracker a shed was built at no cost to the Police Department. The new ute meant two troop-horses attached to the police station were no longer required.

Sergeant 2/c Holley requested permission to keep poultry on the Police Reserve to help feed his own family, and the Tracker’s family, especially as “eggs are scarce in Boulia at any time and at the present are eight shillings a dozen”. Sergeant Holley was also given the use of a yard nearby to keep goats and cows for milking purposes.

In January 1956 the Public Works Department built a new garage, roofed and walled with galvanised iron. The bush timber shed was then used to house Sergeant Holley’s and Constable Vonhoff’s private vehicles.

Hand drawn plan of the Boulia Police Reserve, produced in 1956.
Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

On the 27 October 1956, Allotment 10 of section 11, consisting of an area of 2 roods was gazetted as a Reserve for Police Purposes. The site was obtained to provide a residence for police in the future.

In 1957 electric power was connected to the Sergeant’s residence, the singleman’s and tracker’s quarters, and the police station office. In 1959 the services of Tracker Jimmy Larkin were no longer required, and he was discharged at the end of the year.

On the 3 September 1963, Sergeant 2/c Stan Thorne, reported as he had done on previous occasions regarding the condition of the combined court house and police office building:

“This building has deteriorated to such an extent that the walls of the Police and [Court of Petty Sessions] Office have half inch cracks in them and maps and calendars have been fixed over them in an attempt to keep out some of the dust. It is impossible to remain in this building during a dust storm and the office takes days to clean after experiencing one”.

It was also noted that the included singleman’s quarters had no cooking facilities or utensils. Constable Vincent Walker arrived in Boulia on the 23 September 1963, and was the last single man to be housed in those quarters.

When building funds became available, erection of a new police station, court house, and police residence to accommodate a married police constable was commenced in July 1965. The new buildings passed inspection on the 8 October 1965. Occupation of the buildings took place on the 11 October when the electricity supply and the telephones were connected. The new Boulia Police Station was officially opened on the 20 November that year, by Mr W Rae, MLA. Approximately 90 guests attended the opening that Saturday afternoon, with the Sergeant’s wife Mrs Thorne catering for the afternoon tea.

The new station was a timber framed and sheeted building on concrete stumps, with large roof overhangs to shade the walls, and with large fly screened windows to provide good ventilation. The eight squares of enclosed floor area, contained a small court room, public space and counter, police office and other ancillary rooms.

The married constable’s residence, with 13 squares of floor area was also timber framed and sheeted, elevated on concrete stumps, with three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, as well as verandah and fly screened windows. Septic installations were provided, with the total cost of the buildings being approximately ₤13,000. On the 5 July 1967, the erection of a combined garage and storeroom was completed. The former court house and police station building found a new home on Alderley Station, north of Boulia. The old disused tracker’s hut was also demolished and cleared from the police yard in May 1968.

Boulia Police Reserve 1984.
Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

In 1973, the Boulia Shire Council requested that a portion of the Police Reserve totalling 2 roods be excised, and used to extend the Shire Hall. There was no objection from the Police administration, and the change to the Police Reserve was gazetted on 21 December 1974. The resulting area of the Police Reserve was about 8,117 square metres.

The Boulia Shire Council in 1981 again requested that an area of 27 perches (683.91 square metres) be excised from the Police Reserve for use as a children’s playground. On the 22 May 1982 the Police Reserve was reduced to 6,650 square metres.

In 1983, the Boulia Shire Council sought approval to acquire a further 2000 square metres from the Police Reserve to grass the area, and build a roller skating track. No objections were raised and the area of the Police reserve was reduced to about 4,880 square metres one year later. A new fully air-conditioned, highset timber Sergeant’s residence was built in 1985, next to the police station. The station staffing levels at that time were of one Sergeant, one Senior Constable, one Police Liaison Officer and one clerical person.

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“FROM the VAULT- 50 Years in Boulia, 1935 to 1985” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

Crime and Corruption Commission
25 February 2018
11:00am – 12:30pm

Police Headquarters
200 Roma Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

Entry is FREE

The Crime and Corruption Commission is a statutory body set up to combat and reduce the incidence of major crime and corruption in the public sector in Queensland. Its functions and powers are set out in the Crime and Corruption Act 2001. The CCC investigates both crime and corruption, has oversight of both the police and the public sector, and protects witnesses.

Detective Senior Sergeant Charlie Kohn has worked in the Organised Crime and Corruption Divisions of the CCC for a number of years. He will discuss the role of the CCC and its range of functions which include investigating organised crime, paedophilia, terrorist activity and other serious crime; receiving and investigating allegations of serious or systemic corrupt conduct and providing the witness protection service for the state of Queensland.

The one-and-a-half-hour session which includes question time, will begin at 11am on Sunday, February 25 and will provide entertaining and up-to-date content suitable for all audiences.

The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm from February to November in addition to the standard Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums.

PLEASE NOTE: The Police Museum will open Sunday February 25
from 10am to 3pm, and is located on the ground floor of
Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.

During its first century as a designated unit within the Queensland Police Service, the photographic section had to constantly adapt to the ever changing technologies that were shaping the art of photography.

The section went through several major technological changes with one of the biggest shake ups taking place in 1962 when colour photography was introduced into the service, a first for an Australian police service.

This revolutionary transition was initially resisted by courts with the argument that due to the content being illustrated so graphically in living colour, it would be inflammatory to the jury.

However, as colour TV and photographs became more widespread in Queensland, coloured crime photos became accepted and all major crime was eventually presented in colour to courts.

One of the most significant changes to be implemented within the QPS that continues to reverberate to this day was the introduction of digital photography.

The world’s first digital camera was invented in 1975 and in the decade from 1981 to 1990 these cameras were further advanced and eventually broadly available.

Early digital cameras were expensive and captured images in low resolution. However, as the technology advanced the photographic section commenced testing digital photography in 2002.

The Sony Mavica (DEMO), with its 3.5-inch floppy disc storage, happened to be the first digital camera adopted by the photographic section and was used in conjunction with stitching software to produce the first Interactive Crime Scene Reconstructions.

In 2006, Scenes of Crime Officers commenced using digital photography and by the end of 2008, the changeover from crime scene film capture to digital capture was complete, albeit with a small amount of non-forensic film still being processed for a number of years afterwards.

The Photographic Section continued processing speed camera film until April 2016 when TCO changed to full digital capture.

Over the last couple of years, Brisbane’s forensic negative holdings have been moved to a climate controlled environment, managed by State Archives.

Today, all police photographers are issued with digital still cameras and the images are uploaded onto a database and can be viewed instantly.

Beyond the implementation of digital photography, the section continues to utilise new technology and equipment to document and solve crime.

3D handheld scanners and 3D terrestrial scanners, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (drones), aerial video/photography and 4D photogrammetric software are some of the latest systems being incorporated within the section.

All these technologies are now used to service the people of Queensland and maintain a modern photographic service within the QPS.

This blog was written by the photographic section in conjunction with QPS Media to celebrate the achievements and evolution of the section in its 125th year.

In 1978, an anonymous contributor to the Queensland Police Department’s monthly journal, titled ‘Vedette’, and whom had a very wry sense of humour, sent the following observations on police vehicles and how to recognise them:

They travel faster in all gears, especially reverse,
They accelerate at a phenomenal rate,
They enjoy a much shorter braking distance,
They have a much tighter turning circle,
They can take ramps at twice the speed of private cars,
Battery, water, oil and tyre pressures do not need to be checked nearly as often,
The floor is shaped just like an ashtray or rubbish tin,
They only burn the most expensive super grade petrol,
They do not require to be garaged at night,
They can be driven for up to 100 km with the oil warning light flashing,
They need cleaning less often, especially inside,
The suspension is reinforced to allow carriage of concrete slabs and other heavy building material,
Police cars are adapted to allow reverse gear to be engaged while the car is still moving forwards,
The tyre walls are designed to allow bumping into and over kerbstones,
Unusual and alarming engine noises are easily eliminated by the adjustment of the fitted radio volume control,
Police cars need no security, they may be left anywhere, unlocked and with the keys in the ignition.

The contributor suggested those features were rarely found in private cars; the Editor ending with the question ‘Do the above mentioned features apply to your police vehicle?’ Today, the Assistant Curator can say unequivocally that in the 40 years since, no departmental vehicles have been used to transport concrete slabs.

Cairns Police Station with police cars and motorcycle parked out front, c1975.
Image donated to the Queensland Police Museum by Denis Costello.

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“FROM the VAULT – In The Line of Duty, in 1978” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

BRING IN THE DOGS
Sunday, 25 March 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

Did you know a dog’s natural hunting instinct can be modified by police so the dog can be used to locate missing and absconded people, drugs, bombs and dead bodies? Police dogs are very effective in police work for their superior senses of both smell and hearing.

Find out how police dogs are used for tracking, searching and the apprehension of offenders, at the next Queensland Police Museum Sunday Lecture.

The presentation titled ‘Bring In The Dogs’, by Senior Sergeant Sean Baxendell, Officer In Charge of the Brisbane Dog Squad, who will speak about the work police dogs undertake and the methods used to train them to carry out general and other duties.

This one and a half hour presentation will start at 11am on Sunday, March 25 and will be both informative and educational. It is suitable for any audience.

PLEASE NOTE: The Police Museum will open Sunday, March 25 from 10am to 3pm, and is located on the ground floor of Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.

The unique hardship and character of policing in North Queensland in the 19^th and early 20^th century is demonstrated by the career and resilience of Native Mounted Police (NMP) officer James Whiteford.

Whiteford, a former stockman, was sworn in on 27 April 1881 at 24 years of age. He was deployed directly from Brisbane to Cooktown for “street and escort duties”. This was quickly followed, not quite 12 months later, by a transfer in 1882 to the NMP camp at Laura as the “camp keeper”. Part of his responsibilities at Laura were to patrol the railway and telegraph lines.

To add to the pace of Whiteford’s new police life, he married just over a year later in May 1883. Of interest, this was only one month prior to the marriage policy being altered for the government of the Native Police Force: Any Officer in the Native Police will, upon marrying, cease to hold office in the Force (Colonial Secretary’s Office, 29^th June 1883).

Only two years later, in 1885 Whiteford was made “in charge” of the camp until he was again transferred in 1889 to Coen NMP and then, in the same year, was moved to the new NMP camp at Musgrave. This move marked a slower career period for Whiteford spending around seven years at Musgrave, where he was promoted to Sergeant in May 1896. The home life was busier however, with the Sergeant and his wife producing three children.

In 1897 Sergeant Whiteford contracted Beri beri (a lack of thiamine – vitamin B1). He took two months’ sick leave, his first since joining the NMP in 1881. The health issues didn’t end there with records also showing he contracting whooping cough, low fever, and a burst blood vessel from “retching” during his service. Despite this unenviable record, North Queensland continued to throw up additional challenges when the Musgrave camp was destroyed by a cyclone, most likely Cyclone Mahina, in 1899.

Sergeant James Whiteford and troopers, Cape York Peninsula, c1900.
Image sourced through the Queensland Historical Atlas and courtesy of Jonathan Richards.

After Mahina, Whiteford returned to Coen NMP where he remained for the rest of his career. However, Whiteford’s patience and resilience would still be tested when he applied for promotion to Senior Sergeant in 1901, this was awarded four years later in October 1905. Whilst the promotion was being considered Whiteford was stranded on Knight Island apprehending some local offenders, the first vessel sent to transport him sinking off the Queensland coast. The NMP and North Queensland were not finished with Whiteford yet and in 1907 he fell from his mule, successfully defended a charge of neglect, and in 1910 was thrown from his horse whilst patrolling the Cooktown carnival.

In 1911 Whiteford had finally reached a turning point, with failing health he requested a medical retirement. Whiteford argued he had been acting in a sub-inspector role for over 20 years and requested he be promoted to and retired on a sub-inspector pension. This was refused by the Police Commissioner. Whiteford was medically retired as a Senior Sergeant on 16 August 1911.

Whiteford’s personal file includes numerous comments from colleagues and superiors of his good character and productive working relationships with the people of North Queensland. Whiteford’s career is allegory for the harshness of North Queensland and a testament to Whiteford’s resilience. He passed away in Brisbane in October 1928.

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“FROM the VAULT- Character, Hardship and Resilience” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

On 9 October 1947 a group of interested citizens gathered at the Office of the Premier, the Honourable Edward Hanlon, MLA, at his invitation, for the purpose of discussing the formation of a Youth Centre to be conducted under the jurisdiction of the Police Department. The meeting was presided over by Mr Hanlon and was attended by 65 people.

At the meeting it was decided to appoint an Executive Committee, and that the movement be known as the ‘Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association’, and that the Hon. Edward Hanlon, The Premier, be appointed as Patron of the Association. On 20 November 1947, the Executive Committee carried a motion ‘that the title of the movement be the ‘Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association’ (QPCYWA). It was also agreed that the Commissioner of Police be appointed President of the Association, and that the Chief Inspector of Police be appointed Assistant President.

On 20 May 1948, the Association was registered in the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies at the Supreme Court, Brisbane, as a Company with Limited Liability without the addition of the word ‘Limited’ to its name, under the provisions of ‘The Companies Act, 1931 to 1942’.

In the 1949 Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police, the objects of the Association included the improvement of the standard of physical fitness of youth by the facilities for the indulgence of sports, opportunity to participate in healthy recreation and encouraging and fostering interest in culture and the several arts, assisting boys and girls in the selection of their future vocation; in short doing anything possible which conduces to the development of character, good citizenship, and welfare of youth in the interests of the State.

The Brisbane City Council agreed to lease a portion of Lang Park for a nominal yearly rental of £5 ($10). The lease covering a period of 10 years was signed on 7 September 1949. The Government donated a building which had previously been used as a Royal Australian Air Force warehouse. The Public Works Department assisted in the renovation of the building on the corner of Hale and Caxton Streets, Paddington.

The Lang Park Police-Citizens Youth Club, c1983.
Image No. PM1417 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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“FROM the VAULT– Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association Part 1” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

The Brisbane centre of the Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association, situated at Lang Park, was officially opened by the Honourable the Premier, Mr Edward Hanlon, MLA, on 11 February 1950. The enrolment of boys and girls from 12 to 17 years of age was commenced on 3 January 1950, and at 3 June the number on the roll was 790, comprising 202 girls and 588 boys.

The boys’ activities were conducted on three week-nights and Saturday morning, and those for the girls on the other two week-nights and Saturday afternoon. Amenities for the boys included boxing, wrestling, ball games, and gymnastics; while the girls participated in folk dancing, basketball, and other games.

On 5 July 1950, the Honourable Edward Hanlon, MLA, donated two Cups for competition. The boys and girls competed annually for the trophy. Points were awarded for conduct, ability, behaviour, and attendance. The winner of each section was awarded a replica of the Hanlon Cup, which subsequently remained in perpetuity as a Memorial to the late Honourable Edward Hanlon, founder and first patron of the Association. The names of winners were inscribed on the original trophies.

At the close of the 1951-52 year, total enrolments had risen to 1,443 members, comprising 372 girls, and 1,071 boys. In 1955, enrolments for boys and girls covered three definite age groups, namely 12 to 16 years, 17 to 20 years, and 21 to 25 years, for each of which a nominal subscription fee was charged. Arrangements were in hand to add a 10 to 11 year group. Boys could now participate in the additional activities of judo and woodwork, and the girls in millinery and needlework classes. Facilities were also provided for mixed badminton and tennis matches.

QPCYWA Judo class, probably at Lang Park, c1955.
Image No. PM3199 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

In May 1955, the proposal to establish a Junior Boys’ Band was discussed, and in June approval was given for the purchase at a total cost of £2,100 for the necessary musical instruments, the formation of the band, and the appointment of a bandmaster. The finance for the advancement of the activities of the Association was obtained mainly by the holding of functions, and entertainment organised by the Association.

In view of the large enrolments from the southern suburbs of Brisbane, the Association purchased from the Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland at a cost of £6,152 13 shillings and 6 pence, premises situated at the corner of Hawthorne Street and Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba. The three storey building was to be renovated and converted into a Youth Club, but it was subsequently decided that the old building should be demolished and a new building be erected on the site. The old building was sold for removal, and in May 1956, work commenced on the new building.

The new brick building cost £35,000, and its completion marked an important step in the Association’s programme of expansion. The centre was officially opened by the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Vincent Gair, MLA, on 1 June 1957. At this time the Police Department supplied a staff of nine on a full-time basis, and a number of voluntary instructors were engaged to assist. The variety of activities offered also expanded.

Women’s wrestling team, police youth club, Lang Park, 1967.
Image No. PM1607 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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“FROM the VAULT- QPCYWA Part 2” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

As ANZAC Day approaches, on Wednesday 25 April, we remember all officers killed during the First World War. Of the 30 officers on leave of absence from the Queensland Police Service and engaged in combat, the following twelve were killed in action or died soon after due to their wounds;

Lance Corporal John Warfield from the Maryborough Police Station, 47^th Battalion A.I.F. Killed in Action 28 March 1918.

Sergeant John Fitzgerald from the Duchess Police Station, 9^th Field Artilliary Brigade and 108^th Battery A.I.F. Killed in Action 30 March 1918.

Sergeant Harry Wells from the Roma Street Police Station, 26^th Battalion A.I.F. Killed in Action 31 March 1918.

Sergeant Walter Dumbrell from Many Peaks Police Station, 41^st Battalion A.I.F. Killed in Action 19 April 1918.

Sergeant Frederick White from Gladstone Police Station, 25^th Battalion A.I.F. Killed in Action 10 June 1918.

Private David O’Donoghue from Maryborough Police Station, 9^th Battalion A.I.F. Died from Wounds 20 June 1918.

Private Thomas McGillicuddy from Bundaberg Police Station, 12^th Light Trench Mortar Battery A.I.F. Killed in Action 8 July 1918.

Lance Corporal Claude Castree from Kynuna Police Station, 49^th Battalion A.I.F. Died from Wounds 15 August 1918.

Lance Corporal John Herbert from the Petrie Terrace Police Depot, 41^st Battalion A.I.F. Died from Wounds 9 September 1918.

Trooper Darryl Dodds from the Dalby Police Station, 11^th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. Killed in Action 25 September 1918.

Gunner Ernst Pastorelli from the Nebo Police Station, 156^th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. Died from Wounds 12 October 1918.

Driver John Taylor from the Miles Police Station, 38^th Convoy Australian Army Service Corps A.I.F. Died from Wounds 21 November 1918.

Constable Walter William Dumbrell, Registered Number 1313. Killed in action in France on 19 April 1918.
Image PM3189 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

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“FROM the VAULT- ANZAC Day and the Queensland Policemen of 1918” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

THE EVOLUTION OF POLICE TECHNOLOGY
Sunday, 29 April 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

As part of the Australian Heritage Festival our next Sunday Lecture, scheduled for April 29 at 11:00am, will be presented by Senior Sergeant Warrick Jackes, a jack-of-all-trades officer whose service commenced at Beenleigh in the 1990s. S/Sergeant Jackes transferred to the Academy as a facilitator, enjoying a long stint as an operational advisor, as well as readily deploying to flood-bound towns in central and far western Queensland during the early 2010’s.

The lecture will take you on a path of changes in police technology; fast cars, facial recognition software, typewriters, touch screens, cybercrime technology and ‘Cellebrite’ analysis.

This one-and-a-half-hour presentation will start at 11am on Sunday, April 29 and will be both informative and educational.

PLEASE NOTE: The Police Museum will open Sunday, April 29 from 10am to 3pm, and is located
on the ground floor of Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.

In 1960 the Association continued to render valuable assistance to the youth of the community with much success, even though there was a decline in the numbers enrolling, due to the influence of television in the community. A Committee appointed by the Government to enquire into youth problems recommended that consideration be given to establishing more Police-Citizens Youth Clubs throughout the State.

n 1961, “The Frank Nicklin Shield” was presented as a trophy to the Association, by the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Frank Nicklin, MLA. The shield was to be competed for each year, and awarded to the best Sportsgirl or Sportsboy of the year. Premier Nicklin also consented to being the Association’s Patron.

Boys Basketball Team at the Lang Park Police Youth Club, 1961.
Image No. PM1608 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

In 1962 a branch of the Association had been formed at Ipswich, but the Club had not been established, although a site had been acquired and some finance raised. Proposals for the establishment of a further Club at Fortitude Valley had advanced to the stage where a tender had been accepted for the construction of the building in 1964. The Club was officially opened by Premier Nicklin, on the 7 April 1965, at a cost of approximately £43,000. The new brick building was situated on land which was released from the Fortitude Valley Station Reserve as a Reserve for recreation under the control of the trustees of the QPCYWA. The new club was well equipped, furnished and debt free.

In 1965, the construction of the Ipswich Club in Limestone Park had commenced. The club was completed, and opened in October 1965, at a cost of approximately $82,000. Between 1966 to 1976, new clubs were established at Wynnum, Palmwoods, Redcliffe, Townsville, Toowoomba, Nambour, Inala, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Castle Hill in Townsville, Longreach, and North Albert (Logan City).

A member seminar held in February 1976 discussed proposals for the reorganisation of the QPCYWA. As a result, a residential Managerial Training Course for club supervisors was conducted later that year at the Queensland Police College, Chelmer. The purpose of the course was to give club supervisors expertise in managerial fields, justified by the fact that net assets of the Association were about $2.5 million. In 1978 the administration of the QPCYWA was under the control of the Officer in Charge of the Public Relations Branch. Funds from the State Government allowed the Association to modernise the operation of the clubs by employing civilian personnel in specialised areas to reform activity programmes and to assist in the centralisation of an accounting system.

More quiet pursuits like chess, were on offer at the Inala Police Youth Club in 1975.
Image No. PR2856/75 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

A new camp site named “Bornhoffen”, located in the Numinbah Valley, in the Gold Coast hinterland, was purchased in June 1978. The camp consisted of 242 acres of rain forest near Binna Burra. The property had a waterfall, a creek with a number of swimming holes, and walking tracks. Accommodation consisted of one house and four fully self-contained cabins, with each building catering for 12 people. The property was used for youth leadership camps, and youth club excursions.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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“FROM the VAULT- QPCYWA Part 3” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

The Sandgate and Gladstone clubs were established in 1977 and 1978 respectively, then Beenleigh and Innisfail in 1979. The Association also entered the new field of vacation and after school care. In 1982 the Sandgate Branch introduced Blue Light Skating. This activity proved very successful and was extended to Blue Light Skating discos each fortnight on Saturday nights, with an average attendance of more than 300 children.

During 1983 new branches affiliated, included, Nerang, Ashmore, Capalaba and Blackwater. In 1984 the original old Lang Park club was demolished, and a new building erected on the same site. It was named after William Power (formerly the Minister of Public Works 1949) in honour of his contribution to the club. Mount Isa and Biloela were affiliated in 1987. The total number of youth clubs established was now 28, with 40 officers stationed at the youth clubs.

The largest building project for the year was the construction of a new complex at Camp Bornhoffen. Initial costing for the project was more than $400,000. After discussions with the Queensland Prison Service and the Superintendent of the Numinbah State Prison Farm, a co-operative team effort was established to handle the construction.

In 1988 capital improvements were undertaken to upgrade facilities with the Association raising and expending in excess of $3.5 million during the financial year, in addition to the $1.5 million provided by the Police Department in officer’s wages to conduct the Association business. Membership of the QPCYWA exceeded 25,000 during the year and was attended by members over 600,000 times. In addition to these attendances, Association premises were used extensively by schools and other community groups which substantially increased the number of participating youths.

This Queensland Police Service Ford Falcon wagon has participated in many Variety Bash events since 1988. Entry was supported by the PCYC and Queensland Blue Light (disco), with all the money raised going to sick and disadvantaged kids.
Image courtesy of Senior Sergeant Steve Watterson.

The Association hosted the first World Youth Conference at the Gold Coast from 22 August to 3 September 1988, with over 200 senior staff and both male and female youths from clubs around the globe in attendance. The conference demonstrated the police/youth relationship existing in Australia, and the facilities made possible when government and private enterprise work together.

In 1989 the affiliation of the Pine Rivers Police-Citizens Youth Club saw the construction of a club house by the Pine Rivers Shire Council at a total cost of $750,000 which included a $150,000 pledge by the QPCYWA. Branches at Charters Towers, Cairns, Mackay, Dalby and Caboolture were affiliated soon after.

Youth patrols, which commenced in 1990 at Redcliffe and Wynnum, targeted young people who were on the streets between 9pm and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Their purpose was to highlight alternative entertainment, and transport was provided to and from the club.

In 1993 a Mobile Activity Centre was developed using a custom designed trailer stocked with equipment, to target areas where young people congregated. The trailer provided a range of activities in the hope of diverting young people from less healthy and illegal pursuits.

In August 2001 the Lang Park Police-Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) had to temporarily relocate a kilometre down the road to the Sacred Heart Parish Hall at Rosalie due to the redevelopment of the Suncorp-Metway Stadium. Premier Peter Beattie officially opened the new club, now located on various levels of Suncorp Stadium, on 22 June 2004.

Sergeant John chatting with a trick biker at the Deception Bay PCYC grounds, 2006.
Image courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

In 2018, their 70^th year, there are 54 branches throughout Queensland, from the tip of Cape York to the Gold Coast hinterland, supporting over 75,000 members. View club locations, sports programs and community events here; http://www.pcyc.org.au/

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“FROM the VAULT – QPCYWA Part 4” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

The Queensland Police Museum has a catalogued collection of photographs, currently in excess of 4100. We gratefully receive donations of photographs and objects, relevant to the history of police in Queensland, through an accession process consistent with our Collection Policy which includes the recording and retention of Gift Agreements. At the time donations are accepted, every effort is made to obtain and record as much detail and knowledge about the object or contents in a photograph as possible, often from the limited memories of family members making donations many years after the service and passing of the Queensland police officer. Other images arrive at the Museum through the process of cleaning up; when stations or units complete their retention and disposal process, uncovering old photographs of their staff, buildings, vehicles and animals, and cleverly think to pass them to us for safe keeping.

Image No. PM0144 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

Of course, many photographs arrive with limited information and so we set about looking for clues as to the era and location the images were taken at. Here’s an example; this photograph of the Water Police vessel named ‘Vedette II’ shows the Storey Bridge and Howard Smith Wharfs with the Water Police Station in the background, so we know the location to be the Brisbane River. We know also that Senior Sergeant Alexander Herbert Powe stands at the prow, but the other officers are not known. The image was taken circa 1964. Can you help us to identify the policemen standing amidships, or narrow down the year of this patrol?

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“FROM the VAULT – Help to ID police officers in this photograph” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

A tall police officer always in Plain Clothes with a distinctive face kept popping up amongst our image collection. It took a couple of years before we discovered who he was and could put a name to the ‘face’.

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Bernard Cornelius O’Sullivan was born at Rifle Range near Toowoomba to James and Martha. In 1918 the O’Sullivan family was living in Helidon and Bernard was working for his maternal grandfather at Forest Hill. He applied to join the Queensland Police Force in August 1918 and his application boasts no fewer than seven references to his good character as an ‘honest, straight forward and industrious’ man.

Six foot tall Bernard was recruited on 16 September and found to have good dictation, reading and maths, and was a fair horseman. After ten weeks of training at the Petrie Terrace Police Depot, Bernard was sworn in a Constable 2359 on 4 December 1918.

Group of fourteen police officers with Plain Clothed Constable Bernard O’Sullivan standing middle row at right, Woolloongabba Police Station, 4 September 1925.
Image No. PM2243 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

He was transferred to Woolloongabba Police Station and remained at this station for the next 18 years. In October 1923, after four years and ten months of service Bernard applied to be appointed on Plain Clothed duty at Woolloongabba in lieu of an officer who had been transferred. In support of his application Senior Sergeant Reardon said of Bernard:

‘I have much pleasure in recommending Constable Bernard O’Sullivan for Plain Clothed duty, as he is conversant with the duties required. He had on several occasions assisted Plain Clothes Constable Troy when investigating intricate cases. He has a thorough knowledge of the district and takes special interest in his work. He gave every satisfaction when he did Plain Clothes duty. He is a good all-round man, sober and trustworthy.’

Bernard’s request was granted on 18 October and he remained in Plain Clothes for the rest of his time at this station.

In April 1925, two years after becoming a Plain Clothed officer Bernard received thanks from Mr James Wilson, Head teacher at Buranda State School, who expressed his appreciation of the ‘tact and skill exhibited by P.C. O’Sullivan in the arrest and conviction of two boys on a charge of wilfully and unlawfully destroying nine panes of window glass at the school and for the theft of a number of keys’.

PC Constable Bernard O’Sullivan acted as Scorer for the 1925-26 Qld Police Cricket Club Team.
Image No. PM1839 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

Aged 27 Bernard married Myra Coyne on 6 July of 1927 at the St Stephens Cathedral in Brisbane and they went on to have five children, three boys and two girls.

In April 1934 all the plain clothed sections in all the stations were amalgamated under the CIB but Bernard continued to work from the Woolloongabba Police Station. In that same year Bernard made application to be promoted to Acting Sergeant and put forward his evidence:

‘I have a good knowledge of Police Duties and have successfully prepared and established cases against many offenders for various offences, including breaking, entering and stealing; Stealing, false representation, assault, bodily hard, wilful destruction of property, indecent dealing, unlawful carnal knowledge and other offences.’

Bernard was not successful in this endeavour until May 1936 when he became an Acting Sergeant and was subsequently transferred out of Plain Clothes and sent onto Mareeba. He spent two and a half years at his station as OIC and held the extraneous duties of Protector of Aboriginals, Acting Inspector of Slaughter houses, Industrial Inspector, Inspector of Factories and Shops, Acting Inspector of Stock and Licensing Inspector. He was subsequently transferred to Mount Isa, Toowoomba, Charters Towers, Townsville, Cloncurry, Ipswich, Maryborough, and ended his career as an Inspector in charge of the South Coast District.

1943 Senior Sergeant O’Sullivan was highly commended for his work toward the conviction of George Elias for the wilful murder of Naum Poplo at Mt Isa in 1941. This case dragged on for more than a year and was played out in front of four different juries.
The article come from the Courier Mail of 30 September 1941 and O’Sullivan’s image comes from The Truth 12 July 1942.

Bernard received three favourable records throughout his career. In 1932 PC Constable O’Sullivan was granted £3 4 shillings and 2 pence being portion of a reward given by Wills, Gilchrist and Sanderson Pty. Ltd, for the arrest of prohibited immigrant Henry Bolicke. In 1940 Sergeant 1/c O’Sullivan and other officers were commended for the manner in which they carried out their duties in connection to the murder of Lily Agneta May at Mount Isa on 11 February 1940 and in 1943 Senior Sergeant O’Sullivan was highly commended for his work toward the conviction of George Elias for the wilful murder of Naum Poplo at Mt Isa in 1941.

At the age of sixty, and after 40 years, 11 months and 15 days of very solid service Inspector Bernard Cornelius O’Sullivan retired on 19 November 1959.

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This article was written by Curator Lisa Jones from the best resources available within the Queensland Police Museum. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au

“FROM the VAULT- B.C. O’Sullivan: A distinctive face and a solid policing career” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

THE KILLER NEXT DOOR
Sunday, 27 May 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police HQ, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

Warning – attendees are advised that some of the content contains
obscene language as provided by a witness.

Operation Charlie-Vine was commenced to investigate the disappearance and murder of 26-year-old Nina Lee Lewis in 2004. Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Armitt, from the Criminal Investigation Branch will detail the initial missing person report, the discovery of her ransacked Leichhardt (Ipswich) home which was also drenched from an overflowing bathtub, and valuables left in plain sight and untouched.

With footprints in washing powder, to hay inside a vehicle, to a missing metalwork hammer, the circumstances surrounding this case were bizarre and police asked members of the public to come forward, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers, with any information witnessed. A door-knock of the neighbourhood located many residents able to recollect sightings of Nina, her vehicle, and / or the state of her house, from the position of the garage door to the window lighting at night.

Consider attending this fascinating presentation to see how serious crime is solved by team work and dogged persistence. The one-and-a-half-hour lecture by Detective Senior Sergeant Tom Armitt commences at 11:00am on Sunday, May 27 and will be both informative and educational. *Warning* – attendees are advised that some of the content contains obscene language as provided by a witness.

The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10:00am to 3:00pm from February to November in addition to the standard Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:00pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums.

PLEASE NOTE: The Police Museum will open Sunday, May 27 from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and is located on the ground floor of Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.

The Queensland Police Museum provides an Education Program aimed at upper primary, middle and senior school students and general interest groups, from the ages of ten years upwards. The program has been running for at least 20 years in various forms, commenced with impromptu guided tours of the museum’s exhibition space, to scheduled informative talks and the provision of educational support materials.

The Police Museum is a great resource for educators interested in areas concerned with historical and modern policing, forensic science and the law. Teachers, and parents with young children, are encouraged to come into the museum prior to their visit to determine the suitability of the exhibition space and crime scene display; some material is not appropriate for very young children.

Representative of a Queensland Police Museum crime lecture; riveted audience and real photographic evidence.
Image uncatalogued and courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

Bookings are taken for groups of between 20 and 50 people, and include an informative crime presentation, currently titled ‘The Clue on the Shoe’ for primary students, ‘The Murder of Maria Nozic’ for secondary students in Years 7 to 9, and ‘The Suitcase Murder’ for Years 10 to 12. Community groups have the (pre-arranged) option to hear about ‘The Ocean Island Murders’, or ‘The Tale of a Taxi and a Dog’. Smaller groups (less than 20) wishing to self-guide are welcome to make bookings.

Scientific Officer Senior Sergeant Rechelle Cook from the Forensic Services Branch attends major crime scenes to gather and examine evidence to aid criminal investigations. The Scientific Major Incident Response Vehicle is in the background.
Image number PM0551, from 2001, courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

If weekend events are your thing, our monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums. Lectures are held from 11:00am until 12:30pm on the last Sunday of the month between February and November in the ground level conference room of Queensland Police Headquarters (200 Roma Street, Brisbane). Keep informed by subscribing to our free weekly Blog here: mypolice.qld.gov.au/museum

Here, Water Police Officer Senior Sergeant Bob Harding points to flood level marks made in the 1974 floods which affected the Water Police office at Petrie Bight, Boundary Street, Brisbane.
Image number PM0509, taken in 1991, courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.

Email museum@police.qld.gov.au or phone 07 3364 4652 to negotiate booking times or to find out more about our programs, displays and the Sunday Lecture Series. We look forward to seeing you at an event very soon.

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“FROM the VAULT – An Education Program” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

…Adventures and Hardships of a Convict Copper

Constables have trudged and patrolled across this land long before it was called Queensland as part of the Moreton Bay penal settlement. A significant historical event for policing in Moreton Bay was the appointment of the first Chief Constable, John McIntosh, in 1828. McIntosh was a Scotsman, a convict, and sentenced to transportation for life, hardly what we would consider an ideal police candidate today. He would prove to be a man of endurance and grit. His policing career started with the brave decision of volunteering to relocate from Sydney to one of the harshest places on the continent, the Moreton Bay Penal establishment[1].

Moreton Bay Penal Settlement Plan 1830 – 1893.
Digital Image ID 5213 courtesy of Queensland State Archives.

In 1826 McIntosh was recorded by the infamous Moreton Bay penal settlement commandant, Captain Patrick Logan, as the Principal Overseer of convicts and put in charge of the Agriculture Department. Records show McIntosh was to receive a gratuity for his work. This appointment gives a hint to the character and ability of McIntosh in being able to position himself into a relatively privileged position under a notoriously strict commandant in the unforgiving environment of a penal establishment.

In June 1827, McIntosh was already demonstrating the policing knack of sniffing out a possible offence when he provided an eyewitness account regarding an incident where a ship’s carpenter and convict, John Cunningham was found in the possession of alleged smuggled alcohol. Historical records indicated the alcohol may have been smuggled into the settlement by the Master of the “Mary Elizabeth” demonstrating that even the severe reputation of the penal settlement was no deterrent to criminal activity.

In July 1827 McIntosh received support from Logan to be discharged from his duty as the Principal Overseer and in August 1827 letters indicated McIntosh was to be returned to Sydney. Intriguingly this move was to be short lived with records indicating his successor being removed and McIntosh being reinstated, and then shortly after becoming the first Chief Constable in 1828. McIntosh was obviously considered to be of value to the settlement by Logan.

McIntosh service from 1828 to 1830 is not well recorded, however he must have continued to be well thought of receiving a recommendation of an increase in salary from Logan in August 1830.

As all police know you are not performing your duty effectively without attending court and this was the same for McIntosh. McIntosh was recorded in a letter from the Attorney General’s office in Sydney in November 1831 requesting him and two other convicts as witnesses for the prosecution at the trial of George Byford, but there was a twist to this court case. Byford was charged with the intent to murder McIntosh. Indeed, his policing career had its challenges and its dangers.

Early policing challenges reached a level maybe not appreciated or experienced by todays police. Part of these challenges was the duty for McIntosh and his constables to travel up and down the coast by foot and whale boat apprehending escapees from the penal settlement. In November 1832 one of these challenges reached life threatening proportions when both McIntosh and the convict James Turner, whilst searching for escapees, were severely injured by indigenous tribes near Cabbage Tree Creek estuary. Historical records indicate they were only saved by the arrival of a larger party of colonists[2].

Colour Sketch of Moreton Bay Penal Establishment c1831.
Image courtesy of Queensland State Archives.

In December 1832, McIntosh was returning by ship from Port Macquarie with his constables, after apprehending Moreton Bay escapees, the group was attacked on a beach south of Amity Point, Stradbroke Island. McIntosh was wounded again and two other men, a convict constable and an escapee, were killed by the Nunukul clan[3].

McIntosh must have now realised his policing duties had put him in the middle of what historians described as one of the most intense periods of conflict with the indigenous nations for the penal settlement. Ordered by the settlement commandant, Captain James Clunie, McIntosh, reinforced by constables and soldiers, set out to find the Nunukul, clashing again with a number of injuries and deaths being recorded[4]. Politics and policing were an awkward mix even at the foundations of Queensland policing, just as it can be today.

This would have been a turbulent time for the Chief Constable, but it is interesting to note that McIntosh was also given hope during this time with his Ticket of Leave being granted in the same month, December 1832 by the Resident Magistrate, Benjamin Sullivan at Port Macquarie. Maybe this was a reward for these arduous duties and events.

Just as policing can have its effect on members today, it seems McIntosh may have had his fill of policing in Moreton Bay. In October 1833, Commandant Clunie’s notes in a letter that Chief Constable McIntosh has requested a return to Sydney. Clunie recommended the transfer and requested a replacement for McIntosh. Records indicate McIntosh did not give up on policing in the colonies but transferred to work in the local constabulary at Goulburn. McIntosh was replaced by another convict, Richard Bottington, in late 1833. Of historical note, in 1836 the first non-convict police officer, William Whyte, was appointed Chief Constable at Moreton Bay [5]. It is somewhat ironic that policing in Queensland was foundered on the fortitude and endurance of convicted criminals such as McIntosh.

[1] https://digitalcolonialbrisbane.com/police/
[2] Fighting Words Writing about Race, Raymond Evans, University of Qld Press, 1998
[3] Fighting Words Writing about Race, Raymond Evans, University of Qld Press, 1998
[4] Brisbane : The Aboriginal presence 1824-1860, Brisbane History Group Papers No.11 1992
[5] https://policingcolonialbrisbane.com/police/

“FROM the VAULT- Policing With An Edge” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode

Homicide detectives investigating the murder of Dorothy Britton at Airlie Beach in 1996 have received new information about the case since their appeal in May.

The body of the 48-year-old woman was found at 6.30pm on Thursday, 7 March 1996 in her house at Timberlands Road, Jubilee Pocket, Airlie Beach.

Mrs Britton was last seen alive at about midday on the previous day and had died as a result of a gunshot wound.

Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Knight said police were confident that the offender had a close association with Mrs Britton, had extensive knowledge of her lifestyle and routines and was familiar with her loyal and protective Rottweiler dog, Bella.

“I have no doubt that Mrs Britton knew her killer and detectives are appealing for anyone who may have heard someone speak about the circumstances surrounding her murder to contact police” Detective Senior Sergeant Knight said.

“We need public assistance to solve this case and provide Mrs Britton’s family with the answers they deserve” he said.

A government reward of $250,000 has been issued for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder.

The reward further offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the murder, who first gives such information.

FROM the VAULT – Bollon Between 1900 and 1965

FROM the VAULT – Boulia Police Station

FROM the VAULT – 50 Years in Boulia, 1935 to 1985

SUNDAY LECTURE SERIES: Crime and Corruption Commission

Crime and Corruption Commission
25 February 2018
11:00am – 12:30pm

Police Headquarters
200 Roma Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

Entry is FREE

125 years of photography within the QPS: Evolution of photography

FROM the VAULT – In The Line of Duty, in 1978

SUNDAY LECTURE SERIES: Bring In The Dogs

BRING IN THE DOGS
Sunday, 25 March 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

FROM the VAULT – Character, Hardship and Resilience

FROM the VAULT – Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association Part 1

FROM the VAULT – QPCYWA Part 2

FROM the VAULT – ANZAC Day and the Queensland Policemen of 1918

SUNDAY LECTURE SERIES: The Evolution of Police Technology

THE EVOLUTION OF POLICE TECHNOLOGY
Sunday, 29 April 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

FROM the VAULT – QPCYWA Part 3

FROM the VAULT – QPCYWA Part 4

FROM the VAULT – Help to ID police officers in this photograph.

FROM the VAULT – B.C. O’Sullivan: A distinctive face and a solid policing career

SUNDAY LECTURE SERIES (A True Crime): The Killer Next Door

THE KILLER NEXT DOOR
Sunday, 27 May 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police HQ, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

Warning – attendees are advised that some of the content contains
obscene language as provided by a witness.

FROM the VAULT – An Education Program

FROM the VAULT: Policing With An Edge…

Police make further appeal in Britton cold case murder, Airlie Beach

Crime and Corruption Commission 25 February 2018 11:00am – 12:30pm

Police Headquarters 200 Roma Street Brisbane QLD 4000

Entry is FREE

BRING IN THE DOGS Sunday, 25 March 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 FREE ENTRY

THE EVOLUTION OF POLICE TECHNOLOGY Sunday, 29 April 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 FREE ENTRY

THE KILLER NEXT DOOR Sunday, 27 May 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police HQ, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 FREE ENTRY

*Warning* – attendees are advised that some of the content contains obscene language as provided by a witness.

Crime and Corruption Commission
25 February 2018
11:00am – 12:30pm

Police Headquarters
200 Roma Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

BRING IN THE DOGS
Sunday, 25 March 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

THE EVOLUTION OF POLICE TECHNOLOGY
Sunday, 29 April 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

THE KILLER NEXT DOOR
Sunday, 27 May 2018 | 11:00am to 12:30pm

Police HQ, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
FREE ENTRY

Warning – attendees are advised that some of the content contains
obscene language as provided by a witness.