The Queensland Police Museum holds a comprehensive collection of uniforms, including this ceremonial dress tunic worn by Commissioner Cecil James Carroll (1934-1949), which is listed on the Australian Dress Register.
QPF Commissioner’s Dress Tunic, QP 182
In contrast to present-day practice, Cecil James Carroll did not rise through the ranks of the Queensland Police Force. Like his predecessors, such as David Thompson Seymour (1864-95), William Edward Parry-Okeden (1895-1905), and William Geoffrey Cahill (1905-16), Carroll was appointed from another government department. Between 1920 and 1934, he was employed by the Taxation Office and at the time of his transition served as the Chief Inspector of Taxation. Carroll was also an ANZAC, having enlisted in 1915. He fought on the Western Front and was wounded twice. Captain Carroll was invalidated in 1918.
Left to Right: Sub Inspectors John Smith, Florence Michael O’Driscoll, Charles J. L. Perrin, and Commissioner Cecil J. Carroll outside Parliament House, Brisbane. PM3112
The pattern of wear on the tunic suggests it was worn mainly for ceremonial purposes. The damage is not as pronounced as the wear and tear normally seen on a daily used uniform. It is in a very good condition with only minor damage due to ageing. Management, as well as infrequent wear, have preserved it well.
Although this Police Commissioner’s tunic has no rank insignia attached, the circular cording (Bullet Hole braid) surrounding the Austrian Knots on the sleeves indicates the rank of the wearer. This can be seen in the group image of the Queensland Commissioned Police Officers above. The olivets or cylindrical toggles that would be used to decoratively fasten the front of the tunic are missing but can be seen on the Inspector’s tunic in the image below:
‘Made in Brisbane’ – the dress tunic was made by Arthur J Longson, Ewing House in Adelaide St, Brisbane
Before retiring on 23 July 1949, Commissioner Carroll introduced many reforms including qualifying examinations for promotion and an improved training system for recruits. He became particularly known for establishing the Cadet system of admission. Commissioner Carroll also oversaw extensive renovation of police buildings, including opening of the Queensland Police Garage and the Police Welfare Club; establishment of a wireless radio station and installation of radio receivers in police cars; introduction of the ‘modus operandi’ recording system; the single fingerprint system, and finally the Scientific Section and the Traffic Squad.
Commissioner Carroll’s term coincided with the Second World War, when Brisbane became the epicentre of the Pacific War front and the first port of call for American troops. During those years, the population of Brisbane doubled, testing police resources and capabilities.
The article was researched by Assistant Curator Virginia Gordon and Rebecca Lush, and written by Dr Anastasia Dukova. The Queensland Police Museum hours of operation are 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month. QPM is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
Contact by email: museum@police.qld.gov.au
‘FROM the VAULT – Police Commissioner’s Dress Tunic’ 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