Police Guide

We hold a large number of records concerning the activities of state and local government agencies during and after the Second World War. This includes information about police records during the Second World War, as well as information on health and welfare, land, transport and construction, councils and committees and government departments.

Our police records include:

We also hold general records from some police departments from the Second World War.

Finding police records

These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person . You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records .

Police Department, North Coast Region Bundaberg District Office

Sub-Inspectors Memorandum Book No.2 from 1943 to 1945

Police Department, Police Service Commissioner’s Office

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ArchivesSearch provides access to QSA’s collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.

Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
- The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
- The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.

Contact us

Stealing and profiteering
We hold records on stealing and profiteering from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, internment, lighting restrictions and blackouts, supplies, firearms and ammunition, civil defence, American forces, air raids and acts and regulations.
Finding stealing and profiteering records
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person . You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records .
Looting
QSA holds records on looting during the Second World War, including:
Stolen property
QSA holds records of property stolen during the Second World War, including:
Profiteering and black-marketing
QSA holds records about profiteering and black-marketing during the Second World War, including:
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to QSA’s collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Supplies
We hold records on internment from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, firearms and ammunition, stealing and profiteering, civil defence, American forces, air raids and acts and regulations.
Find police records about supplies
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Air raids
We hold records on internment from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, firearms and ammunition, stealing and profiteering, civil defence, American forces, air raids and acts and regulations.
Find air raid records
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person . You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records .
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to QSA’s collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Internment

We hold records on internment from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, supplies, firearms and ammunition, stealing and profiteering, civil defence, American forces, air raids and acts and regulations.
Find internment records
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
- Internment of aliens from:
  - 1939 to 1943
  - 1940 to 1942
  - 1940 to 1945
  - 1942 (record 1 and record 2)
- Internment of aliens in Cairns during:
  - 1941
  - 1942
- Internment of aliens in Longreach, Townsville and Rockhampton Districts, Cairns and Toowoomba from 1940 to 1942
- Internment of aliens in metropolitan districts and the military area officers in 1942
- Internment of non-refugee enemy aliens appointed in labour camps during 1942
- Repatriation of German aliens in 1942
- Arrest for internment of Alfeo Calanca in 1942
- Control of aliens from 1943 to 1945
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
American forces
We hold records on American forces from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, acts and regulations, stealing and profiteering, civil defence, firearms and ammunition, air raids.
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person . You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Civil defence
We hold records on civil defence made during the Second World War by the Police Service Commissioner’s Office, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, acts and regulations, stealing and profiteering, firearms and ammunition, American forces, air raids.
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Acts and regulations
We hold records on acts and regulations from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, firearms and ammunition, stealing and profiteering, civil defence, American forces, air raids.
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Inquiries and reports
We hold records on inquiries and reports made during the Second World War by the Police Service Commissioner’s Office, as well as information on civil defence, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, acts and regulations, stealing and profiteering, firearms and ammunition, American forces, air raids.
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
Soldiers
Shooting and bombing
Accidents
Staffing
- Staff statistics quarterly returns
- The character of employees stationed in prohibited places and protected and controlled areas from 1945.
Inquiries and reports
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Firearm and ammunition
We hold records on firearms and ammunition from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, lighting restrictions and blackouts, internment, acts and regulations, stealing and profiteering, civil defence, American forces, air raids.
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records.
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Lighting restrictions
We hold records on lighting restrictions and blackouts from the Police Service Commissioner’s Office during the Second World War, as well as information on inquiries and reports, internment, lighting restrictions and blackouts, supplies, firearms and ammunition, civil defence, American forces, air raids and acts and regulations.
These links will take you into our catalogue to view the item’s description. In the catalogue you can request a copy of this item for a fee, or request to view it in person. You may need agency approval to request items with restricted access. Read more about restricted records .
Lighting restrictions
Blackouts
We also hold other police records on blackouts during the Second World War, including information on:
Search the catalogue
ArchivesSearch provides access to our collection of records including documents, letters, maps, plans and images. For help with searching, read the ArchivesSearch help guide.
Spelling of names was not as consistent as it is today, so be sure to check alternatives—e.g. Thompson and Thomson.
Names may have been incorrectly indexed as the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read or the ink has faded.
The capital letters L, T, F and S are often confused as lower-case letters n, m, u and w. This means that Taylor may indexed as Laylor or Brum may be indexed as Bruin.
The use of double ‘s’ (ss) often looks like fs, so Ross will be indexed as Ross but may appear in the record as Rofs.
Names may have been written in the record phonetically as the clerks wrote the names as they heard them. Think about how it could be spelt as it was heard.
Some given names are abbreviated as they appear in the original record
Some records are restricted for several years.
Some records have not survived.
A blank cell indicates that there is no information recorded in the original.
Contact us
Contact us if you need further help.
Police Department, Police Service Commissioner’s Office

Police, 14 May 2025, [https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/second-world/police]

This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/collection/war/second-world/police.

Police Guide

Finding police records

Police Department, North Coast Region Bundaberg District Office

Police Department, Police Service Commissioner’s Office

Records from 1914 onwards

Records from 1939 onwards

Records from 1940 onwards

Records from 1942 onwards

Records from 1943 onwards

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Stealing and profiteering

Finding stealing and profiteering records

Looting

Stolen property

Profiteering and black-marketing

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Supplies

Find police records about supplies

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Air raids

Find air raid records

Search the catalogue

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Contact us

Internment

Find internment records

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

American forces

Search the catalogue

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Contact us

Civil defence

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Acts and regulations

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Inquiries and reports

Soldiers

Shooting and bombing

Accidents

Staffing

Inquiries and reports

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Firearm and ammunition

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Lighting restrictions

Lighting restrictions

Blackouts

Search the catalogue

Search tips

Contact us

Police Department, Police Service Commissioner’s Office