Queensland deputy police commissioner Cheryl Scanlon is to retire at the end of the year after almost four decades with the Queensland Police Service.
Scanlon joined the service aged 19 in 1986 and became an inspector 20 years later. She was appointed deputy commissioner in January 2024, following a career spent largely in criminal investigation and senior leadership roles.
“Policing has been my life, and criminal investigation has always been my passion,” Scanlon said in announcing her retirement. “I have never taken lightly the trust placed in me or the privilege of serving the Queensland community.”
She led the child safety and sexual crimes command as detective superintendent from 2016, before becoming chief superintendent at the Crime and Corruption Commission two years later. In 2020, she returned to the police service as an assistant commissioner.
Scanlon said her work across Queensland had brought both difficult challenges and the opportunity to work with exceptional colleagues.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving in a wide range of roles and locations across Queensland. Each role has shaped me, challenged me and provided opportunities to work and connect with exceptional people,” she said.
Acting commissioner Brett Pointing praised Scanlon as an “exceptional and collaborative leader”, saying she had dedicated her career to protecting Queenslanders, pursuing justice for vulnerable victims and guiding the service through some of its most challenging moments.
He said her greatest legacy would be the people she had empowered and the lives she had changed.
Scanlon recalls difficult investigations
Scanlon identified two cases as particularly demanding. In 2014, she led the investigative response to the homicide of eight children in Cairns while serving as regional crime co-ordinator.
She also served as the senior responsible officer for preparing the brief of evidence for the coroner in relation to the Wieambilla tragedy.
“Both were devastating on every level,” Scanlon said, describing the impact of the investigations on families, police and the wider community. She said she had been continually inspired by the professionalism, courage and resilience of officers and staff.
