Brett Pointing has been chosen to head up the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in an interim capacity, replacing outgoing commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

Mr Pointing, who served four decades on the police frontline, is a former QPS deputy commissioner who left the service to take on the role of deputy commissioner of operations in the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

He said it was a “great honour” to be appointed as the state’s top cop. 

“Like Steve [Gollschewski], I am also very proud to have been part of a police family, with my father and two brothers retiring in senior positions … I also had many uncles and other relatives in the Queensland police,” Mr Pointing said.

“I enjoyed more than 40 years’ service in the QPS, and in addition, my experience in the AFP in the operational role has given me both a national and international network and perspective on policing that will be very valuable.

“Returning to the QPS feels like coming home.”A police officer in formal uniform speaking at a presser

Queensland Police commissioner Steve Gollschewski is retiring after 46 years of service. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda)

Mr Pointing was recently part of an external independent advisory panel into the QPS’s workforce, which found staff were overworked and needed more support on the frontline.

“This gave me an insight into the organisation, its challenges and more importantly, its potential,” Mr Pointing said.

“The review was very clear — the QPS must refocus on core policing across all categories, strengthen governance and invest resources where it matters most [and] it must also focus on the well-being of members and ensure they are supported.

“I intend to continue the changes and improvements that Steve [Gollschewski] has started.”

Mr Pointing said areas of “high priority” included reducing car thefts, unlawful entry and robbery, decreasing road fatalities, addressing domestic and family violence and combating child exploitation.

A portrait photo of Brett Pointing smiling.

Brett Pointing says car theft and domestic violence are among his top priorities.  (ABC News)

Police Minister Dan Purdie said he had “exercised a power” available to him to appoint Mr Pointing as commissioner on a 12-month interim basis without the usual independent merit-based selection panel process.

“In circumstances where a commissioner wants to leave before the end of his term and there’s work to be done, I can appoint an interim commissioner and that’s what I’ve done.”

“There will be time to do that search and find a full-time commissioner,” he said.

Mr Pointing said he would apply when the job is advertised.

‘One of the best policing minds in Australia’

Mr Purdie said he and Mr Gollschewski had jointly agreed Mr Pointing was the “stand-out” candidate.

“He led a bikie-busting taskforce, he reformed domestic and family violence, and I thank him for answering the call to service to come back,” Mr Purdie said.

“Steve Gollschewski has set the Queensland Police Service up for success and Brett Pointing is the best person to take those steps forward.”

Queensland police commissioner announces retirement

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has announced his retirement to focus on his family and health after a 46-year career with the service.

Mr Gollschewski said his replacement has “one of the best policing minds in Australia”.

“This gives me the opportunity to hand the baton over to someone who I know will probably do a better job than me.”

Mr Pointing will take up the role on Friday.

Mr Gollschewski was appointed to the top job in April 2024 but stepped down 10 months into his five-year term after being diagnosed with stage four cancer, which had spread from his lungs.

He later returned to the role after undergoing treatment but announced his retirement last week to focus on his family and health after more than 46 years on the frontline.