Col’s Chat – Locals through my Lens – Corey Allen

Col’s Chat –

Locals through my Lens

Corey Allen

When Corey Allen joined the Queensland Police in 1986, the service was about to come under one of the brightest spotlights any police service had ever faced. From those dark days however, shone a community-focused man who has helped transform all aspects of the Service. 

Corey was raised in Greenslopes at a time when large parts of it were still rural. Life wasn’t easy. Looking for a way out, Corey joined the army. 

“I was a young officer, but the army wasn’t really my bag and so I resigned and went to Victoria to be with a girl I fell in love with. That lasted barely two weeks. I felt ashamed. I’d thrown away my career, burned bridges and wasn’t welcome back home. I returned to Brisbane and found myself living on the bones of my bum, sleeping rough, or at some friends. A lot of the people around me were getting into trouble, but one – a wild artist – got me to come to the local gym. He kept me focused and out of trouble.” 

So why join the police?  “I wasn’t really that keen at first, but I blitzed all the tests until it came to my height. I was 1cm short! Having learned that you can be taller first thing in the morning [due to body compression], I spent two weeks in the gym stretching and hanging upside down with inversion boots. On the day, I wore three pairs of socks, got tested early and remeasured 1cm taller! Since then, I have stretched myself in every aspect of life”. Literally, and metaphorically it seems!  

Over the years, Corey’s commitment to implementing change has been implemented in mobile patrols, weapons training, public safety and special emergency response teams, and street policing with the tactical Crime Squad. He helped redefine policing of the G20, CHOGM and the Commonwealth, as well as the way protests were handled. “We can either help people protest peacefully or be the thugs who drag people away. We should treat people with kindness, respect and empathy and get to know their story. Most people we meet are not crooks, they have just made poor decisions and choices. They’re often victims themselves.” 

Corey is proud to be a community copper. He’s battled his own challenges recently overcoming prostate cancer, but he is still keen to express what for him is the most important thing. “You can be a good community copper without arresting someone every day. Good policing is about good communication, empathy and getting out from behind a desk.” 

Since 1994, Corey has been writing his experiences in the form of a book. One thing’s for sure, it will be a local best seller.  

Corey is currently serving as the Chief Inspector of the Inner West Patrol Group, North Brisbane District.  

Author and photographer: Colin Bushell | Colin Bushell Photography