Queensland Police Sergeant Sean ‘Willow’ Wilson says he has always believed the most meaningful policing happens on the frontline where officers can work in partnership with the local community.
This belief shaped his decision to remain in general duties policing with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) from the day he was posted from police academy to Townsville Police Station in 1985, to his final shift at the same station today.
With his wife Jacque, daughter Rebecca and mother-in-law Margaret, ‘Willow’ by his side, Sgt Wilson received his final radio call over dispatch, marking the end of his final operational shift.
He was then formally piped out of Townsville Station, marking the end of more than four decades of frontline service and the start of pre-retirement leave until November, when he reaches the QPS mandatory retirement age of 60.
He said while many officers pursue specialist pathways during their careers, he made a deliberate choice to remain in general duties for his 41-year career, convinced it offered the strongest connection to the communities he served.
“I first applied to the Police Academy at the age of 18 but was deemed to young, so applied for the Air Force and was accepted,” Sergeant Wilson said.
“But decided on reflection to wait and chose to follow my best mate into the Oxley Police Academy when I was 19.”
“After six months of training I left behind a cold Brisbane winter to arrive at my first posting in Townsville in July 1986, where I immediately felt the heat.”
“I remember driving into town and seeing Castle Hill for the first time and thinking this would be a unique place to start my policing career, but I didn’t realise then that it would also be where I would finish it.”
In 1987 he was deployed to Home Hill, where he worked under Sergeant Barry Randall.
“Sergeant Randall was one of the most significant mentors I had in my career,” Sergeant Wilson said.
“He was known for his strong ethical standards, high expectations and firm leadership, but he also made sure his officers had a place at his dinner table if they needed support.”
“He taught me that leadership is not about rank, but about consistency, integrity and looking after your people.
“That lesson stayed with me throughout my entire career.”
Home Hill also marked an important personal milestone, as it was there that Sergeant Wilson met his wife, Jacque.
Subsequent postings took them both to Surfers Paradise in 1990 and then Inglewood in 1998, before returning north in 2002 to Stuart Station and then Townsville Station in 2004.
Across each posting, Sergeant Wilson maintained a strong focus on community engagement.
“While I was stationed in Inglewood, I was able to work closely with Inglewood Health Services to coordinate a Youth Expo aimed at strengthening relationships with young people,” he said.
“That event was something I was very proud of in my career, as I firmly believe good policing relies on building trust, visibility and genuine connection within the community.
“You can enforce the law, but if you don’t build relationships and earn respect, you are missing a key part of the job.”
Three years ago, Sergeant Wilson faced a life-altering transient ischaemic attack, sometimes referred to as a mini stroke.
“During my treatment, doctors identified a previously undiagnosed hole in my heart which required surgery to repair,” he said.
“It was certainly a wake up call, but I was determined to get back to general duties as soon as medical clearances allowed.
“The job and the people I worked with meant too much to step away before I was ready.”
Reflecting on his career, Sergeant Wilson urges new recruits to prioritise their health and fitness.
“Staying physically and mentally fit is critical in this job because it gives you the resilience you need to manage the demands of frontline policing,” he said.
“A key aspect of building your resilience as a police officer includes seeking out good mentors who share your values and who will guide you when things get tough.”
“Whether on the job or outside of work, like getting involved in sport or community activities, those connections provide significant support to anyone working in a frontline career.”
At his retirement ceremony, Sergeant Wilson received a traditional piping out, recognising his lifetime of service to the Queensland community.
As he enters retirement, Sergeant Wilson looks forward to spending more time fishing and enjoying time with Jacqui and his daughter Rebecca.
“Fishing has always been my way to reset,” he said.
“It gives me the same sense of anticipation and focus general duties did for so many years, and I’m looking forward to spending more time on the water and more time with my family.”
After 41 years in general duties, he leaves the QPS having remained steadfast in his belief that meaningful policing begins and ends with community.
