July 19, 2024
Former Queensland Police Commissioner James Patrick (“Jim”) O’Sullivan APM AC died this week in Caboolture Hospital, aged 85.
Mr O’Sullivan, who was born in Kingaroy in 1939, served as the State’s 17th Police Commissioner from 1992 to 2000 during a period of rebuilding in the wake of the Fitzgerald Inquiry.
He joined the QPS in 1959 and rose through the ranks to eventually head the Brisbane CIB.
In 1987, the then-Detective Inspector accepted the role as the senior police officer seconded to assist the Fitzgerald Inquiry into illegal activities.
The two-year inquiry exposed alleged police and political corruption.
Mr O’Sullivan was appointed Assistant Commissioner in 1990 and Police Commissioner in 1992, a job he held until he retired.
He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Premier Steven Miles, Police Minister Mark Ryan, Tony Fitzgerald KC, Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski and former police commissioner Bob Atkinson all paid tribute to Mr O’Sullivan after his death.
