Donna Adams has been appointed Tasmania's first female commissioner of police after 35 years in the force.
The highest-ranked woman in the 125-year history of the Tasmania Police began her career as a constable when she was 19 years old.
Commissioner Adams said she was privileged to be 15th person to take on the role of commissioner.
She said that this is an extremely proud moment for me, and I'm really looking forward to making positive change.
I had a very simple ambition to join the drug squad, and as it turns out, it was an ambition I did not fulfill. When she first started in the force, Commissioner Adams talked about being greatly outnumbered by men.
When I first went to Bellerive CIB Criminal Investigation Branch in 1990, I had to share a toilet with the men and had my name on the first cubicle, she said.
She became the first woman promoted to the rank of commander in 2009 before becoming the state's first female deputy commissioner last year.
Throughout her career, Commissioner Adams has received several awards, including the Commissioner's Commendation for her work after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, as well as an Australian Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
She will take over the role from Darren Hine, who will retire from Tasmania Police after more than 40 years and 14 as a Commissioner of Police and Secretary of the Department on October 11.
Commissioner Adams said she had a big pair of shoes to fill. She said Darren Hine has provided outstanding leadership and support to me over the past 14 years.
He has transformed the Tasmanian police through his inclusive leadership. In the wake of the Pandemic, the 54-year-old said she would focus on back-to- basics policing and that prevention and disruption would also be a key issue.
She said now it's time to focus on high visibility policing and to make sure we have a strong focus on policing local issues in local communities.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the significance of her appointment could be understated. Donna is a highly qualified professional and well placed to provide exceptional leadership to the Tasmania Police, and the community.