The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is a worldwide association for senior law enforcement professionals, with over 30,000 members in more than 150 countries.
Each year the IACP recognises 40 law enforcement professionals (under 40 years of age) from around the world who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to the law enforcement profession.
These award winners represent both the law enforcement leaders of today as well as the leaders of tomorrow.
In early October 2018 Senior Constable Sarah McGuinness, the Officer in Charge of the Pacific Fair Police Beat will fly to Orlando, Florida to be presented with one of the 40 under 40 awards at the IACP International Conference.
This conference is regularly attended by over 15,000 senior law enforcement delegates.
Senior Constable McGuinness is only the second recipient from the Queensland Police Service (to be completely fair, she is only the second officer in the whole of the southern hemisphere) to win this award since its inception.
Senior Constable McGuinness has been a police officer since 2002.
Throughout her career she has worked in operational and support roles including General Duties, Cross Cultural Liaison Unit, Crime Prevention Unit, Shopfront Police Beat and administrative roles.
“Like most police I joined with a dream to make a difference and the community a safer place, trying to help an entire community can have an overwhelming effect” Sarah said, when recalling why she joined the police.
“After many years I now find that by looking at crime on an individual level and trying to help that one person and make a difference with the individual has a holistic approach of helping the entire community.
Inspector Owen Hortz of the Entertainment Precinct said Sarah is an exceptionally impressive young female officer, highly motivated, completely professional, compassionate and supportive.
She has excellent ability and is committed to developing innovative programs for the Gold Coast District in improving policing services, especially for women in the community.’
“It is a great honour to receive this award,” Senior Constable McGuinness said.
“Like most police officers I go to work on a daily basis just trying to do my job to the best of my ability.
“My love and passion for pro-active policing and engagement with the community has lead me to create and implement community programs in domestic violence, Queensland laws and cultural engagement which I believe has made a difference with the CALD community on the Gold Coast.
“It is humbling to see that the hard work that I have performed has been noticed by the community and my peers. I look forward to meeting with the other 39 winners of this award, to share ideas and learn from my peers.”
Senior Constable McGuinness is a fine role model for junior and senior police officers and staff members. Sarah is highly respected by her peers and superiors and they are all very proud of her.
Senior Constable McGuinness