New Whitsundays Police boat named after fallen officer
Just-launched 24m 'Damian Leeding' police catamaran patrolling the WhitsundaysA Queensland Police Service officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2011 has been honoured with a new police vessel named after him.
Police Minister Bill Byrne MP and Commissioner of Police Ian Stewart, together with family and friends of the officer, attended the naming ceremony last week of the new water police catamaran vessel, named the Damian Leeding.
The 24 metre vessel is named after Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding who served with the QPS for over eight years until he was fatally wounded in the line of duty on May 29, 2011, passing away three days later in hospital.
The Queensland Police Vessel (QPV) Damian Leeding is the third and final acquisition of three new generation police catamarans constructed to meet the changing needs of policing a vast, decentralised and largely coastal State.
Water Police vessels are increasingly being used to serve as incident command posts, mobile police stations, and long range Search and Rescue platforms. The QPV Damian Leeding will replace the vessel currently based at the Whitsundays.
At a ceremony on Thursday (May 19), Commissioner Stewart said Detective Senior Constable Leeding was committed to serving his community, ensuring the safety and security of all.
"The same parallel could be drawn to this new vessel that will proudly bear his name and help us protect and serve the people of Queensland," Commissioner Stewart said.
"Today is a bittersweet occasion for the Queensland Police Service and Damian’s family and friends.
"We honour the ultimate sacrifice Damian made and pay special tribute to his legacy through the naming of this vessel."
Detective Senior Constable Leeding was posthumously awarded the QPS medals for valour and diligent and ethical service. Wednesday fortnight will be the fifth anniversary of his death.
Minister for Police Bill Byrne said he was honoured to be at the naming ceremony, honouring Mr Leeding and his family.
"Mr Leeding gave the ultimate sacrifice, he lost his life while working to keep our communities safe.
"I am sure I speak on behalf of not only the Premier and the Queensland Government but for all Queenslanders – we are forever grateful of the work Mr Leeding and all police men and women do each day.
"The Palaszczuk Government has a strong commitment to keep Queenslanders safe and we are proud to be delivering this new police vessel to help aid in that.
"The primary role of this new vessel is to improve the present and future operational capabilities of the Queensland Water Police."
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