Carroll is Queensland’s 20th police commissioner and the only female to lead the state’s police service in its 155-year history. Carroll replaces outgoing commissioner Ian Stewart, who resigned after six years in the role and four decades in the police service.
Carroll started her career with the Queensland Police Service in 1983. She’s previously held other highly ranked roles, including Assistant Commissioner (Far North) and more recently, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner.
Throughout her career, Carroll has been influential in the police service, often driving cultural change.
She was a primary detective during the Fitzgerald inquiry, which exposed corruption in the police force and resulted in the deposition of Queensland’s premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Carroll was also operations commander for the largest peacetime security operation in Australia’s history, G20, held in Brisbane in 2014.
It was announced Carroll would take on her new role in April. At the time, she said it was a privilege and honour to be chosen as the next commissioner.
“I’ll be working hard over the next five years to make sure I keep this wonderful state safe,” she said after her appointment to the role.
Congratulations to our 20th and first ever female Commissioner who was sworn in today. pic.twitter.com/NH5rjLxCG5
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) July 8, 2019
In the coming weeks, Carroll will embark on a listening tour of the Queensland police force, working closely with her frontline officers.
“I have always cut through the layers and gone straight to the front line in terms of what their issues are. I will continue to do that because I need to hear from them,” she said on Monday after being sworn in.
“I’m honoured to serve not just this wonderful organisation but the entire state of Queensland.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Carroll was an outstanding candidate for the position.
“Commissioner Carroll was the best person for the job but I’m also delighted she’ll be the first female police commissioner Queensland has had,” Palaszczuk said.