Mount Isa is about to bid farewell to a much admired senior officer.
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Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Clark has been the Officer in Charge of the Mount Isa District Child Protection Investigation Unit for six years.
This week, she farewells Mount Isa as she she heads to Brisbane to commence her new role as Senior Facilitator within the Detective Training Section, at the QPS Academy.
Detective Senior Sergeant Clark started with QPS in 1993 and spent four years at Brisbane City, Toowong and Mareeba stations, before taking up a plain clothes position in the Mount Isa Criminal Investigation Branch in 1997.
After four years she transferred to Cairns CIB and in ten years reached the rank of Detective Sergeant.
In June 2011, she was promoted to the OIC of Tully CIB and in October 2015, she returned to Mount Isa as OIC of CPIU.
She considers working with and serving the people of North West Queensland to be a highlight of working in Mount Isa and solving serious crimes on vulnerable children.
"I am proud of the work achieved by our tenacious and dedicated CPIU investigators to solve historical and current serious criminal offences, in seeking justice and protection for victims," DSS Clark said.
One Mount Isa investigation resulted in an international law enforcement arrest of an overseas offender for child exploitation material and the subsequent rescue of four overseas children, aged 3 to 17 years.
"I'll miss my patch of paradise, visiting Lake Moondarra and its unique wildlife, the beauty of the land and the skies and, of course, the people of the West," she said.
"I have fond memories with the officers that I have served alongside during my time here and there is always that strong bond of shared Mount Isa District experiences."
On Australia Day 2020, DSS Clark was one of six QPS officers awarded an Australian Police Medal.
She was recognised for her investigative service in using innovative practices and breaking down barriers between police and indigenous communities.
"This award would not have been possible without teamwork from other investigators, the community and the other government and non-government agencies required to solve serious crimes," she said.
"It recognised my engagement with working in partnership, to identify and provide early intervention of young people at risk and collaboration to provide an integrated response to young people and their family needs."
DSS Clark said she was thankful for the experiences and knowledge from working in Mount Isa.
"I now have the opportunity to utilise my experience in educating newly appointed investigators in becoming Detectives. I will always have fond memories for Mount Isa and the people of the West," she said.
READ ALSO: Happy 100th birthday to Dorothy Shorrock
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
