About

Ian John Leavers APM (Australian Police Medal) was appointed as Queensland’s first Cross-Border Commissioner in August 2024, to advocate for communities and businesses along each of the state’s borders.

Mr Leavers was a member of the Queensland Police Service for over 35 years, as a General duties Officer through Queensland, including with the Criminal Investigation Branch, Juvenile Aid Bureau, Operational Skills Trainer, Traffic Branch and Accident Investigation Squad. He was an advocate for improvement in wages, conditions and entitlements for Queensland Police Officers as General President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union of Employees and President of the Police Federation of Australia.

He heralded a new era for policing as president of the Queensland Police Union and this is demonstrated by his proactive approach to law and order policy development. He has redefined the role and involvement of police in public debate, discussion and discourse.

Ian is a champion for providing a safe working environment for police and the community. This can be seen in the Police Union’s regular policy submissions to Parliamentary Committees, Royal Commissions and Taskforces, on a diverse range of topics, such as alcohol fuelled violence, domestic violence, government and legislative structures, child abuse, mental health funding and police discipline procedures.

Ian’s leadership and advocacy have also been recognised with appointments to a range of boards including as a director of QBANK (formerly the Queensland Police Credit Union), WorkCover Queensland, President of the Police Federation of Australia, Director of the National Police Memorial, and a previous member of the Queensland Government’s Work Health and Safety Board, Director Ipswich Turf Club, Independent Ministerial Advisory Committee (victims/youth crime), the Domestic Violence ’not now not ever’ implementation task force and has achieved a National Weapons intelligence system through his advocacy based on evidence.

He has driven change not only in policing and community safety issues but also many other areas which has resulted in positive change across the nation.