When people think about a career in policing, becoming a homicide detective is often seen as the one of the ultimate career aspirations.
Considered the pinnacle of investigative policing, it is a position that requires resilience, compassion, professional judgement and a commitment to justice. For Detective Chief Inspector Damien Hansen, that aspiration became a reality through a career spanning more than 40 years, including 30 years as a detective and 15 years leading the Homicide Investigation Unit (HIU).
As DCI Hansen prepares to retire, he leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the hundreds of investigations he has overseen. Through mentorship, advancing investigative capability and victim advocacy, he has helped shape the future of homicide investigations in Queensland.
Commencing his service with the Queensland Police Service in 1986, DCI Hansen quickly established a reputation as a driven and competent investigator.
“I wanted a career that mattered and one that gave me opportunity, I was interested in policing because growing up we knew a lot of officers. From day one at the academy, I always wanted to be a homicide detective, for me that was the ultimate goal.”
After attaining his detective appointment in 1993, he served across a broad range of criminal investigative roles, including fraud, armed robbery and drugs and counter terrorism.
His career culminated in his appointment as officer in charge of the Homicide Investigation Unit in 2011, a role that would see him lead some of the states most serious, complex and high-profile murder investigations.
Since 2011, he has overseen or provided specialist support to more than 700 homicide investigations, making him one of the most experienced homicide leaders in QPS policing history.
Whether supporting grieving families, guiding investigators through challenging circumstances or navigating the intense media scrutiny and politics that often accompanies major investigations. DCI Hansen has ensured that investigations are conducted with professionalism and integrity.
DCI Hansen said he was often asked about his job and what’s the worst one and what is it like working on some of the most horrific crimes imaginable. But it’s nothing like what you see on TV.
“I meet families on the worst day of their life, this is real trauma for everyone involved. It’s confronting and emotional. My role has always been to support our people, focus on the evidence and ensure the victim and their family is at the centre of every investigation.”
“Leading homicide investigations is a significant responsibility because the stakes are high. Families are looking for answers, they want justice, communities want reassurance, and investigators are working around the clock building that evidence. It takes time and it must be done right.”
Throughout his career, DCI Hansen has led and supported investigations that made national and international headlines, crimes that have not only impacted victims’ families, but also deeply affected the community too.
Including Operation Tango Pontoon, investigating the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey; Operation Quebec Clarify, investigating the murder of Toyah Cordingley; Operation Mizzen, investigating the murder of Tiahleigh Palmer and Operation Kilo Intrigue, investigating the murder of Allison Baden-Clay.
While the cases attracted significant media and community attention, colleagues say DCI Hansen’s greatest strength was his ability to lead investigators through extremely complex circumstances, focusing on investigative strategies, regardless of external pressures.
Successful investigations are often measured by outcomes before the courts, but DCI Hansen believes the true purpose of homicide investigations extends much further.
“At the heart of every homicide investigation is a family whose life has changed forever. While we can never undo what has happened, we can find out what happened and why.”
“Providing answers, accountability, justice and a sense that their loved one has not been forgotten is why we do what we do.”
DCI Hansen has made a significant contribution to the modernisation of homicide investigations, recognising early the increasing importance of technology. He established specialised digital investigative capabilities within the HIU, transforming how investigators use telecommunications data, digital intelligence, social media and emerging technologies to solve serious crimes.
His foresight helped position Queensland as a national leader in technology-driven homicide investigations, enhancing the QPS’s ability to identify offenders, reconstruct events and locate victims.
His commitment to innovation also saw QPS explore Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, opening new opportunities to solve cold cases, identify human remains and provide long-awaited answers to families searching for closure.
Beyond individual investigations, DCI Hansen delivered organisational change through the transformation of the Investigation Management and Control (IMAC) system. What began as a case-recording platform developed into a state-wide investigative management system, now supporting thousands of users and strengthening accountability, information security and investigative coordination.
Drawing on four decades of operational experience, DCI Hansen played an important role in the development of Queensland’s high-risk missing persons legislation, No Body, No Parole reforms and the implementation of Double Jeopardy legislation.
These reforms have provided investigators with stronger tools to protect vulnerable people, reopen historical investigations and deliver justice for victims and their families.
DCI Hansen refuses to acknowledge his achievements as personal ones; he attributes all the successes to the team at HIU.
“While I’m proud of the investigations we’ve solved and the outcomes we’ve achieved, my proudest achievement is the capability we’ve built. The people, systems, training and culture we’ve developed will continue helping investigators solve crimes and support families long after I’ve retired.”
Homicide investigators operate in one of the most psychologically demanding environments in policing and throughout his career, he has championed workforce wellbeing and established advanced homicide and serious crime training courses that continue to shape investigative capability and support member welfare.
Through partnerships with national and international agencies, he ensured QPS detectives remained some of the best in Australia. Recognising that exceptional investigative outcomes are achieved through exceptional people.
DCI Hansen helped transform the relationship between the QPS and families affected by homicide, and was recently recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for his service to Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group.
Through his longstanding partnership with the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group, he advocated for a more compassionate, transparent and victim-focused approach to investigations. His efforts strengthened communication with families and improved support mechanisms for people impacted by homicide.
That commitment has earned the respect of victim advocates and families and has helped create a lasting cultural shift in how homicide investigations are conducted and experienced by those most affected.
“The family don’t just experience loss on the day of a homicide. They live with it every day afterwards. Supporting the family and keeping them at the centre of our work ultimately makes us better investigators and a better organisation.”
From a young recruit on the frontline to one of the most experienced homicide detectives, DCI Hansen’s journey highlights the many opportunities available in policing.
Reflecting on his career, DCI Hansen remains most proud not of individual cases, but of the people he worked with and the positive difference they make in the lives of others.
“When I look back, it’s not the jobs or the headlines that stand out most. It’s the people. I’ve been privileged to work with investigators who give everything to find answers for families and justice for victims. The work we do is not easy and I have so much admiration for everyone in HIU”
“If I’ve helped build a stronger capability, supported our people and left the organisation better prepared for the future, then that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
As he steps away from policing after more than 40 years of service, DCI Hansen leaves a legacy of leadership and innovation. His influence will continue through the investigators he mentored, the wellbeing and reforms he championed and the families who received answers because investigators never stopped searching for the truth.
