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As a youth, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Ben Marcus was always motivated to help others. This drive led to his application for the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and subsequent 36-years of dedicated service to keeping the Queensland community safe.

With his final day at the QPS being today, October 18, AC Marcus reflects on his career as complex yet fulfilling journey.

“When I first joined as a recruit, I honestly thought I’d just be chasing crooks,” he said.

“Instead, I was surprised by the sheer scale and variety of work police get assigned.

“You’d be amazed at what the average country copper has to do. I’ve taken weather readings, issued truck licences and fire permits, and removed a fair few snakes from people’s houses, and I don’t like snakes.

“We do search and rescue, disaster management, suicide interventions and pretty much anything we are asked to do.”

A career in policing can lead to officers to live and work across the state. AC Marcus experienced this firsthand during his years working in the Central West, South West, and South East Queensland.

Regional stations he worked at included Goondiwindi, Clermont, Stanthorpe and Warwick. He also relieved at multiple stations spanning from Stradbroke Island to Yelarbon and worked on disaster recovery in Bundaberg, Burnett, Townsville and North West.

During his time at these stations, AC Marcus found that working as a country officer enabled him to become a key part of the local communities.

He was particularly impacted by the Grantham community when he worked there to respond to the Lockyer Valley flood in 2011.

Extensive flooding resulted in 14 people losing their lives in Grantham alone and the town was largely destroyed.

“The community was full of wonderful and resilient people who absolutely rallied together and ultimately moved most of the town up the hill,” he said.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from them in the face of adversity. I still get the occasional call or text from a Grantham resident – it always makes my day.”

One of AC Marcus’s many roles within the QPS was his 10 years of service as a Police Negotiator.

His first day in this role was September 10 2001, a day before the September 11 attacks in America.

“This incident immediately and dramatically changed the security environment right across the world and led us down a path where we were frequently confronted with acts of terrorism,” he said.

“I’m very proud of the way Queensland responded and how we are seen as a benchmark of allowing the community to voice their opinions and protest peacefully but still keep a very close watch on extremism.”

Reflecting on his career, AC Marcus encourages future and new recruits to consider how they can ensure community safety and feeling of being safe is the focus of their work.

“We have moved to an era where social media has made the average person become fearful and we are now looking at not just making people safe but making them know they are safe,” he said.

“It’s not enough for us to focus on making people safe if they feel scared. It changes how people see the world, what they spend their money on and what they do with their time.

“Most older Queenslanders would prefer to spend their money on their grandkids than on security systems. I’d encourage all new and prospective recruits to make that a focus of their work.”

In his current role as Assistant Commissioner for Brisbane Region, AC Marcus says he has found the underlying principles of policing to remain the same regardless of where he has worked.

“I’ve always found that policing is largely based on helping people and solving problems,” AC Marcus said.

“It’s one of those roles where you help people at their lowest point, and you have the absolute privilege to assisting them to rebuild their lives.”

“We always try to do this with as much dignity as possible.”

AC Marcus thanks his family for their support and advice which has been a constant factor throughout his policing career.

“As a police officer you can frequently move around the state, work shift hours and long hours when responding to major events,” he said.

“I couldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the incredible support from my beautiful wife Joey and our girls Michaela, Georgia and Bridie.

“We all share a sharp sense of humour where I am normally the target.

“We are now based across the state from Cairns to Kindon (an hour from Goondiwindi) and I’m so proud of what they’ve become.”

Commissioner of the QPS Steve Gollschewski APM thanks AC Marcus for his dedicated service.

“Ben has had an outstanding policing career, making an impact on the lives of Queenslanders and contributing to the success of the service,” he said.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Ben for many years, including in the disaster and emergency management space, and can attest to his commitment to his team, dedication to community safety and innovative leadership focussed on improving the QPS.

“I thank Ben for his 36 years of distinguished and dedicated service.”