Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve “Golly” Gollschewski, whose career included detective work at Boondall Criminal Investigation Branch, has died after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Mr Gollschewski died on 4 September, aged 67, after more than 46 years in policing. His family said he died surrounded by loved ones after a sudden complication during his cancer journey.
Boondall role formed part of detective career
An official Queensland Government biography records that Mr Gollschewski worked at Boondall Criminal Investigation Branch in 1996, during a period when he was building experience in investigative and intelligence roles.
He moved from Boondall CIB to work on the Carter Inquiry in 1997, before later serving in the Ethical Standards Command and the State Crime Operations Command.
His Boondall posting came after more than a decade in policing. Mr Gollschewski had joined the then-Queensland Police Force on 1 August 1980, serving in general duties at Maroochydore, Brisbane and Dalby before moving into plain-clothes policing in 1983 and later qualifying as a detective.
From investigations to senior command
Mr Gollschewski went on to hold senior positions across Queensland, including roles in organised crime, intelligence and regional command.
He became Chief Superintendent of Central Region in 2008, Assistant Commissioner of Southern Region in 2010 and later led North Coast Region. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2013.
His senior operational responsibilities included police responses to floods, cyclones and bushfires, including the 2011 Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods.
Mr Gollschewski also served as strategic commander for security operations at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Familiar figure during COVID-19 response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Gollschewski oversaw police operations involving Queensland’s road borders, airports and hotel quarantine.
His regular appearances at public briefings made him a familiar figure during the state’s pandemic response.
Mr Gollschewski became acting commissioner in February 2024 following the retirement of Katarina Carroll and was formally appointed Queensland’s 21st Police Commissioner in April.
At the time of his appointment, he had already spent more than a decade as a deputy commissioner and more than 40 years in policing. He said his focus was on ensuring Queenslanders were safe and felt safe while supporting the police workforce.
Cancer diagnosis and retirement
Mr Gollschewski stepped away from the commissioner’s role in February 2025 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
After treatment, he returned to full duties later that year before announcing his retirement in February 2026.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said at the time that Mr Gollschewski had served Queensland with professionalism and integrity and had led police through major disasters, emergencies and organisational change.
National honour capped 46 years of service
Mr Gollschewski was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for distinguished service to law enforcement, counter-terrorism activities and the community.
Known throughout Queensland Police as “Golly”, he rose from constable to commissioner over more than four decades. Boondall CIB formed one part of that career, linking the former commissioner’s early investigative work directly to Brisbane’s northside.
Published 7-Sept-2026
