Policing is not always about lights and sirens and urgent duty driving.
Policing is, however, always about learning new skills and adapting to the conditions you find yourself in.
In the Torres Strait, those conditions are about as different from any you could possibly experience elsewhere in Queensland.
According to Detective Acting Sergeant Katie Overson, Officer in Charge of the Thursday Island Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), policing in the Torres Strait is unique.
“People don’t have any concept of how different policing is until you get up here,” Detective Acting Sergeant Overson said.
“We cover 15 islands in the Torres Strait as well as the tip of the mainland, so that means a lot of travelling.
“You need to be patient with getting places. It can take a large portion of your day just to do simple jobs.”
Detective Acting Sergeant Overson is currently enjoying her second posting to the Torres Strait, having previously spent three years based at Thursday Island from 2011 – 2014.
Thursday Island – known traditionally as Waiben – is the administrative hub of the Torres Strait, with the police station, Water Police base, schools, hospital and other government services located there.
Thursday Island Police Station accommodates 21 general duties police, eight plain clothes officers, an intelligence officer, a Scenes of Crime Officer, a police prosecutor and five Water Police.
In addition to sworn police officers, Torres Strait Islander Police Liaison Officers (TSIPLO) are stationed within their communities on the individual islands.
Detective Acting Sergeant Overson said travel between the islands was either by boat or plane.
“We have our own Police Air Wing up here, so if we need to go out to an island to respond to a job, we book the plane.
“On top of that, we have the Torres Strait Island policing model where police conduct regular patrols of the islands.
“Every fortnight we go out for six days at a time on the 23-metre QPV Brett T Handran catamaran, with three water police, one general duties police officer and one detective.
“There are four separate clusters of islands, each one with three or four islands that are home to between 100 and 800 people.
“Each time we cover a different cluster, but sometimes we get diverted for Search and Rescues or other urgent jobs.”
Detective Acting Sergeant Overson said police relied heavily on the assistance of the TSIPLOs when they visited the different communities.
“You can’t know all the streets and the housing numbers on every island, so it can be difficult logistically to find places and do your job.
“You’ve also got different councils and cultural sensitivities on each island and the TSIPLOs are invaluable in assisting police in breaking down barriers.
“The islands are also physically very different – we have sand islands, mud islands, and volcanic islands up near the border with Papua New Guinea. It’s an amazing place to see.”
Travel between the islands is either by boat or plane.
With the northernmost island only 20km from Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Torres Strait represents Australia’s only international border, which gives rise to cross-border operations in partnership with federal government agencies.
According to Detective Acting Sergeant Overson, these multi-agency exercises offer a unique experience for QPS members.
“We take part in cross-border patrols with Australian Border Force where we get to go up to PNG in the helicopter, plane or boat.
“It’s really fun to do something different and work alongside the other agencies, which is an opportunity you don’t really get anywhere else in policing.
“Sometimes we are also required to assist Australian Federal Police if they are investigating offences by PNG nationals in the state of Queensland.
“That’s what makes this place so unique. We are heavily engaged with other agencies and building those relationships so we can get the best results by all working together.”
Working in what is arguably Queensland’s most remote policing division does come with its challenges.
Detective Acting Sergeant Overson said the most difficult thing was the isolation.
“It’s a two-hour flight to Cairns, with a couple of commercial flights going each day. There is also a ferry to Seisia on the mainland three times a week.
“Boating and fishing are very popular up here, but many people choose not to swim because of the crocodiles and sharks. It’s really beautiful but it’s also really dangerous.
“Island life is not for everyone and people who have worked in the city most of their life are going to find it very different.”
Despite the challenges, she said she would encourage all police officers to take the unique opportunities offered by regional and remote policing.
“I think it’s a really good idea for your career.
“There are so many opportunities, and we are lucky in the QPS in that we get supported financially with free accommodation.
“You also have next to no travel time to and from work and you often make some of the strongest friendships you’ll ever have during your policing career when coming out to regional and remote areas.”
For people thinking about becoming a police officer, Detective Acting Sergeant Overson said the opportunity to change location or career direction without having to leave your job was a compelling reason to join the QPS.
“I think we are really lucky to be able to join one organisation and then find something that interests you and if you don’t like it, you can always try and do something different.
“There’s something for everybody in the QPS. We are paid well, and we get to travel around and see different places while earning good money.
“A lot of people don’t stay in the one career anymore. That’s the most interesting thing when you join the academy – there are people who have been on huge money and people who have had amazing careers and they’ve just decided this is something they’ve always wanted to do.
“You meet lots of people in all different walks of life, and they’ve made it so you really can try and get through the application process at any age now.
“If you’ve always had an interest in policing, then I would suggest you give it a go. It’s a great career.”
The QPS is looking for applicants who seek purpose, direction and meaning from their careers in a different way from what they have before.
There’s never been a better time to join the QPS. Visit to take the eligibility quiz and see if you’ve got what it takes to become a police officer.
Travelling between diverse remote island communities, helping with marine Search and Rescue operations and patrolling Australia’s only international border, policing in the Torres Strait offers a unique experience.
Police officers aren’t born, they’re made, with every challenge or adversity overcome, and their personal values, helping to shape them into great officers who can make a real difference.
There is no better time to join the QPS. You’re already ready.
Visit to check your eligibility today.
