Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve "Golly" Gollschewski has died at the age of 66, seven months after cancer forced him to step down from the role he held from 2024. Premier David Crisafulli led tributes to the veteran officer, who spent more than 40 years in policing and was widely respected for his straight-talking manner and dedication to catching offenders and supporting victims. His death marks the end of a career that helped shape Queensland's police service through some of its most difficult periods, including major natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gollschewski's family said he died surrounded by loved ones after an 18-month battle with cancer, describing a "sudden and cruel complication" in his final days. He had been appointed commissioner in 2024 to lead reform after an inquiry uncovered systemic racism, sexism and leadership failures within the force, and continued that work while privately fighting his illness. Earlier this year hundreds of officers and members of the public gathered outside Brisbane police headquarters to farewell him as he left the building for the final time, closing a 46-year career that began with his modest ambition to become a detective sergeant.