Francis Bischof
Encyclopedia
Francis Erich Bischof (12 October 1904 - 28 August 1979) was a police commissioner
in the Australian state of Queensland
from January 1958 until his resignation, on the 13 February 1969, amidst allegations of corruption
. His early career was marked a high rate of success, yet 'the Big Man' was viewed as a politically sensitive and partisan appointment.
on 12 October 1904 and grew up on a dairy farm. He worked in a cheese factory before joining the Queensland Police Force
in 1925. He married Dorothy Gledhill on 22 February 1930 at St Mary's Anglican Church in Alderley
, Brisbane.
Stationed with the Criminal Investigation Branch in the Brisbane
, he was promoted to sergeant in 1939 and inspector in 1949. He studied in Britain (including Scotland Yard
) and Europe, returning to Australia in 1950 and investigating the Bulimba elections fraud. Described as 'the Big Fella' (6 ft 2 ins and 16 stone) he gained thirty-two convictions in thirty-three murder investigations. In 1955 he became head of the C.I.B.
In January 1958 he became Commissioner of Police, appointed by the Premier
, Frank Nicklin
. The appointment was criticised by the Labor Party
(then in opposition) as a political appointment and that at least two other officers were more suitable.
As commissioner he set about boosting police morale and the image they portrayed to the Queensland public. He implemented a series of transfers, promotions, and a Public Relations Bureau as part of his plans. Bischof frequented many public functions encouraging their cooperation and support with the Queensland Police.
He was corrupt.
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
in the Australian state of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
from January 1958 until his resignation, on the 13 February 1969, amidst allegations of corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
. His early career was marked a high rate of success, yet 'the Big Man' was viewed as a politically sensitive and partisan appointment.
Biography
Frank Bishof was born near Toowoomba, QueenslandToowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
on 12 October 1904 and grew up on a dairy farm. He worked in a cheese factory before joining the Queensland Police Force
Queensland Police
The Queensland Police Service is the law enforcement agency responsible for policing the Australian state of Queensland. In 1990, the Queensland Police Force was officially renamed the Queensland Police Service and the old motto of "Firmness with Courtesy" was changed to "With Honour We Serve"...
in 1925. He married Dorothy Gledhill on 22 February 1930 at St Mary's Anglican Church in Alderley
Alderley, Queensland
Alderley is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is north-west of the CBD. It is surrounded by Newmarket in the south, Ashgrove and Enoggera in the west, Grange and Stafford in the east and Kedron and Everton Park in the north. At the 2006 census, it had a populatio of 5,068.In...
, Brisbane.
Stationed with the Criminal Investigation Branch in the Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, he was promoted to sergeant in 1939 and inspector in 1949. He studied in Britain (including Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
) and Europe, returning to Australia in 1950 and investigating the Bulimba elections fraud. Described as 'the Big Fella' (6 ft 2 ins and 16 stone) he gained thirty-two convictions in thirty-three murder investigations. In 1955 he became head of the C.I.B.
In January 1958 he became Commissioner of Police, appointed by the Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
, Frank Nicklin
Frank Nicklin
Sir George Francis Reuben Nicklin, KCMG, MM was Premier of the Australian state of Queensland from 1957 to 1968, and the first Country Party Premier since 1932.-Early life and career:...
. The appointment was criticised by the Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
(then in opposition) as a political appointment and that at least two other officers were more suitable.
As commissioner he set about boosting police morale and the image they portrayed to the Queensland public. He implemented a series of transfers, promotions, and a Public Relations Bureau as part of his plans. Bischof frequented many public functions encouraging their cooperation and support with the Queensland Police.
He was corrupt.