Mr Savage after receiving his APM in 2008 with former Queensland Governor Dame Quentin Bryc, Queensland Police saye
Last month Superintendent Peter Savage’s retirement from the Queensland Police Service was finalised after a career that spanned more than 40 years.
Mr Savage, who had been on pre-retirement leave since last March, was sworn into the QPS on March 4, 1977.
Superintendent Savage spent his formative policing years in the Brisbane CBD and Holland Park police stations.
In November 1977, he was transferred to Emerald and began several years of country service that would see him work beside many experienced police officers and eventually see him take on a number of plain clothes positons beginning in the CIB, Stock Investigation Squad.
During the tumultuous years following the Fitzgerald Inquiry, Superintendent Savage was appointed a district implementation co-ordinator in Bundaberg, playing an integral role in applying the recommendations of the inquiry to the QPS.
Superintendent Savage remembers these years as momentous times of change in which the QPS was completely transformed.
"This was a significant time of change within the QPS and signalled the introduction of much improvement and advancement in many areas," Superintendent Savage said.
"There were changes such a rank restructures, merit based promotions, emphasis on personal and professional development, the introduction of technology and far greater emphasis on community based policing and ethical and professional standards of behaviour by sworn officers."
In 1991 Superintendent Savage was promoted to Sergeant First Class and moved to the Sunshine Coast District to take up a District Education and Training Officer role.
By the turn of the century Superintendent Savage was appointed to several inaugural positions in a range of areas, including within the Organisation Improvement Unit in the Office of the Commissioner where by 2001 he had developed and introduced a new operational performance review process.
This process was a significant change initiative which placed an onus on senior managers across the QPS to improve performance management at a district and command level.
In 2002 Superintendent Savage was appointed to an external consultancy group tasked with implementing and co-ordinating recommendations taken out of the Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse. A blue print was developed and presented to government at the time, seeking more than 100 additional CPIU positions for the Service.
Mr Savage later became the first Superintendent to head up the Counter Terrorism Strategy Policy Unit within the Operations Support Command.
In 2006, Superintendent Savage was seconded to the Queensland Ambulance Service to assist in the development and implementation of a Regional Performance Review process, similar to the OPR introduced within the QPS.
In 2008 Mr Savage was awarded the Australian Police Medal.
Towards the end of his career Mr Savage was the Superintendent of the Recruit Training and Operations Skills Branch in 2011 to 2013 before finally taking up the role of Detective Superintendent of the Internal Investigations Group within the Ethical Standards Command.
Mr Savage with Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, receiving the Meritorious Police Medal
Mr Savage was awarded the Meritorious Police Medal at his retirement function on March 3, 2017, which was attended by hundreds of people from across Queensland, an indication of his profound impact on the service.
Looking back at his 44 years of service Mr Savage said it was support of his fellow officers and family that he will remember most.
"The comradery within the QPS is the most significant thing that helps you deal with the challenges of policing," Mr Savage said.
"The support provided by your family is also fundamental to longevity within the QPS."
At the end of his career in policing Mr Savage has a positive message for future police men and women.
"Policing is a challenging profession. Be prepared to take risks and opportunities when they arise," Mr Savage said.
"Continue to strive for greater professional development, be that in additional studies or seeking to work in diverse areas of expertise.
"Always remain honest to yourself and your family – don’t be frightened to ask for help if you are feeling challenged by what the job throws at you."
