Having faced significant challenges early in life, including living through four years of a war in former Yugoslavia and moving to Australia as a refugee, Detective Sergeant Darko Radovanovic developed a passion to become a police officer to help people, especially children, who are the most vulnerable in the community. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice and was awarded a scholarship to study in Slovenia focusing on Post-conflict Policing. Detective Sergeant Radovanovic joined the Queensland Police Service (QPS) at the age of 21 and has been awarded the Dux at the Queensland Police Academy and the Multicultural and Police Citizens Youth Club Awards. 

While working in the field of child victimization, Detective Sergeant Radovanovic has been involved in youth crime prevention initiatives including sporting, educational, and community-based programs. He went beyond his assigned role in the Child Protection Unit, taking up the challenge of reducing reoffending by prolific adult offenders with a view to reducing victimization and creating stable childhood environments. To achieve those aims, Detective Sergeant Radovanovic is currently managing a QPS “wrap-around” program, the Property Offender Program, that involves intensive management of prolific property offenders who are on probation and parole. 

Detective Sergeant Radovanovic has played a leading role in many complex investigations involving children and was critical to the success of each investigation. His ability to be confronted with such traumatic incidents, calmly focus his team of investigators, and ensure staff welfare all while working to protect children is an indicator of his professionalism and leadership qualities. 

“I am motivated by conducting investigations where children can be protected and given a different path in life to achieve their goals and ambitions.”