Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius is retiring, marking the end of a 42-year career with the Queensland Police Service. Photos: QPS.
The top cop overseeing Cape York is retiring after more than four decades working with the Queensland Police Service.
Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius is responsible for the state’s most northern police district, the Far North, covering 44 divisions from the Torres Strait south to Cardwell, stretching west to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Late last week, the police service announced Assistant Commissioner Schafferius had begun his pre-retirement leave after a distinguished 42-year career.
He was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Far Northern Region in July 2018. He said the highlight of his riveting career had been working with incredible people in the Far North.
Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius.
“Looking back on my service, I am incredibly proud of the work done by officers and staff in this region, most of which goes unnoticed by the public,” he said.
“From my early days in the Cairns Drug Squad and Mareeba Criminal Investigation Branch, my fondest memories have been serving the wonderful communities in the Far North.
“I am leaving the service proudly with a smile on my face and confident that policing and community safety in the Far North is in safe hands.
“I wish my colleagues and their families long, happy, and healthy futures.”
During his time with the police, Assistant Commissioner Schafferius has overseen major crimefighting operations, disaster management responses and cultural changes.
The QPS said in a statement that Assistant Commissioner Schafferius left a legacy of outstanding leadership and strong community connections.
Before being appointed Assistant Commissioner, he served as the chief superintendent district officer of the Far North District.
Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius (left).
Assistant Commissioner Schafferius was sworn into the police service in July 1985 and appointed as a constable in Townsville, before he was transferred to Wynnum.
He spent time as an investigator at the Chandler Juvenile Aid Bureau, then served as a detective senior constable in the Cairns Drug Squad and the Mareeba Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).
He was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant in 1998. He was the team leader of the Cairns Drug Squad and later officer-in-charge of the Mareeba CIB.
In 2000, he was promoted to detective senior sergeant and spent time at the State Drug Investigation Group in the State Crime Operations Command, before he became officer-in-charge of Ipswich Police Station.
Working as an inspector, he spent time providing support to the Southern Regional Assistant Commissioner, before becoming the Toowoomba District Inspector and then detective inspector.
In 2011, Assistant Commissioner Schafferius was promoted to superintendent and served as the district officer of the Brisbane Central District.
Following a police service restructure in 2013, he also served as assistant district officer in the Far North.
