QCS officers receive Australia Day medals at Investiture Ceremony

Two Queensland Corrective Services officers awarded on the 2022 Australia Day Honours List have received their Australian Corrections Medals.

Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young PSM presented the medals to Superintendent Cassandra Cowie and Chief Superintendent Bernie Kruhse at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House.

Commissioner Paul Stewart APM said QCS officers were often the unseen front line public safety officers but play a vital role in community safety.

“On behalf of Queensland Corrective Services, I am honoured to congratulate this year’s Australian Corrections Medal recipients.

“Chief Superintendent Kruhse is presently the General Manager of Escort and Security Branch and is recognised for his distinguished services to Queensland Corrective Services and is highly regarded both locally and nationally for his exceptional leadership capabilities within custodial environments.

“Ch Supt Kruhse continues to apply his expertise and career-long learnings for the advancement of future staff and custodial operations within Queensland.”

“Superintendent Cowie is the Director of the High-Risk Offender Management Unit, and is recognised for her 18 years of distinguished service with QCS.

“Supt Cowie has achieved success leading teams across various business units within the organisation and has worked in diverse roles within Community Corrections and Specialist Operations, HROMU, Specialised Clinical Services, Serious Offenders Unit, the Office of the Commissioner, and Sentence Management Services.

“Supt Cowie was a foundational member of the QCS HROMU and made a significant contribution to the development of this unit through undertaking of various advisor, manager, and director positions.

Commissioner Stewart said this year’s recipients represented the diverse roles that corrective services officers play to keep the community of Queensland safe.

“Supt Cowie and Ch Supt Kruhse work in different fields within our agency, highlighting the many ways our officers make a real difference to community safety.

“One of the guiding principles of Corrections 2030 is excellence, and it is important that we appropriately recognise our officers who demonstrate excellent work as they perform their vital role of keeping the community safe.

“On behalf of all QCS officers, my warmest congratulations go to Cass and Bernie for their commitment to the safety of the community.”

Established in 2017, the ACM is awarded every year on Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday (June) for distinguished service by correctional officers across Australia.

The Australian Corrections Medal features the Federation Star and bears the scales of justice and is surrounded by a laurel of Australian wattle.