(Incoming Police Commissioner Donna Adams)
Tasmania has it’s first ever female Commissioner of Tasmania Police.
Donna Adams is the 15th Commissioner of Police and Secretary of the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management and will be the first woman to take on the role in the service’s 125 year history.
First joining Tasmania Police at age 19, in 1987, Ms Adams has worked in uniform, criminal investigations and training, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1998 and Inspector in 2004.
She also holds a Masters of Policing, becoming the first woman promoted to the rank of Commander, and in 2011 was appointed to the role of Assistant Commissioner.
In 2021, Ms Adams again made history when she became the first female Deputy Commissioner.
Over the course of her 35-year career, Ms Adams has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including a Commissioner’s Commendation for her work after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre; an Australian Police Medal for Distinguished Service; a Tasmania Police Service Medal for diligent and ethical service; and was recognised by the Australasian Council of Women in Policing as an outstanding investigator.
At the media conference announcing her selection, Ms Adams paid tribute to her parents, her family and her colleagues for their support and encouragement over her long career.
“I want to build a safe policing model. Policing is inherently a dangerous and challenging role and we need to continue to invest in the strategies that keep our police officers safe and also want to have a particular focus on their mental health and wellbeing,” Ms Adams said.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the appointment marks a new milestone in Tasmanian history.
“This is an exceptional achievement and is very well deserved,” Premier Rockliff said.
Ms Adams will start in the role on October 11, following the retirement of outgoing Commissioner Darren Hine AO APM.
(Left to right: Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Felix Ellis, Deputy Commissioner Donna Adams, Premier Jeremy Rockliff)
