Former Queensland Police Union Leader Ian Leavers Found Dead
Tragedy struck the Queensland police community this week with the sudden passing of Ian Leavers, a prominent figure in law enforcement who devoted more than three decades of his life to the Queensland Police Service. The 57-year-old was found at his home in Brisbane’s Mount Ommaney area on Monday morning, after police responded to a call at around 9:50 a.m. Authorities have confirmed that his death is not being treated as suspicious, though investigations are ongoing.
Ian Leavers began his police career in 1989, serving across multiple divisions including the criminal investigation branch and the child investigation unit. Over the years, he earned a reputation for dedication and commitment to both his colleagues and the wider community. In 2009, he rose to the position of general president and CEO of the Queensland Police Union, and in 2021, he was elected president of the Police Federation of Australia, holding both positions until his resignation last year.
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His impact on the policing community was widely acknowledged. Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior, speaking emotionally in Canberra, described Leavers as both a mentor and a “force of nature.” He highlighted Leavers’s compassion during crises, particularly referencing the Wieambilla tragedy, where Leavers’s empathy and leadership were seen as uniting forces for the police and the affected families. Prior said that Leavers’s legacy can be seen in the safety reforms achieved under his tenure and the support provided to countless officers.
Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie echoed these sentiments, calling Leavers a “passionate and fearless advocate” who always stood up for what he believed was right. Purdie emphasized the deep impact his loss would have on the police family, as well as on his own friends and family. Similarly, Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski reflected on Leavers’s “unwavering purpose and commitment,” noting that his passing would have significant effects across the organization due to his strong advocacy and close relationships with frontline officers.
Leavers’s contributions extended beyond Queensland. Nationals Leader David Littleproud praised his role in developing a national firearms register, highlighting his courage and conviction in championing safety and support for police officers and the broader community. Former Queensland Premier Steven Miles also expressed shock at the news, recalling Leavers’s tenure as the state’s first cross-border commissioner in 2024—a role created to address rising crime and natural disasters.
Premier David Crisafulli described Leavers as “dedicated, principled and driven to make a difference,” and noted that Queenslanders would remember him for his honest leadership and steadfast support during some of the state’s most challenging events. The Police Federation of Australia paid tribute to him as a “champion for providing a safe working environment for police and the community.”
Ian Leavers will be remembered as a committed and principled leader whose dedication to law enforcement and public service left a lasting legacy, both within the police force and across the Queensland community. His passing marks the end of an era for the state’s policing leadership, and his contributions will be felt for years to come.
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