WHY THE sHERIFFS ACT
IS HERE
Across Queensland — from Townsville and Cairns to Logan, Mount Isa, Aurukun and beyond — people see the same reality.
Courts feel distant. Police are present but overworked; stretched so thin that they are everywhere and nowhere at once.
Disturbances build instead of being resolved, civil disputes linger without settlement, and minor offences escalate into bigger ones simply because there is no capacity to step in early.
Communities aren’t asking for more force.
They’re asking for someone they know, and who knows them, with the lawful presence, who can act before small problems turn into major ones.
A Civic Role, Not a Force
The Sheriff is not a police officer, nor are they any kind of or associated with a political figure. They are something much simpler: a lawful, local role for civil enforcement and community order.
What Sheriffs do:
Enforce court orders, warrants, and property disputes
Manage disturbances and de-escalate tension
Handle low-level offences often left unresolved
Provide trained first response when required
What Sheriffs are:
Trained to QPS standards
Bound to their Local Government Area
Accountable through oversight and recall
Audited, certified, and limited by law
This is not a new force.
It’s a structured civic tool — measured, modern, and community-focused.
Designed for a public Need
Every part of the model is built for oversight and fit:
Councils may apply for a Sheriff’s office through a formal process
The State shall co-fund operations (with support for hardship regions)
All officers are trained, certified, and externally audited
A pilot program confirms viability before any expansion
This is not a duplication of powers.
It is integration — working alongside existing systems to close the gaps.
Presence and Public Trust
Law isn’t just enforced — it’s experienced.
And how it’s experienced depends on who shows up — and how often.
The Sheriff isn’t rotated in. They are part of the local fabric: familiar, recognised, accountable.
That presence builds something stronger than authority: trust.
Even the green-and-gold uniform sends a message:
“I’m here to sort it out — not crack down.”
This role is about consistency, familiarity, and civic clarity.
