Qld's top cop gets two more years in role

WHY THE QUEENSLAND POLICE COMMISSIONER'S CONTRACT EXTENSION MATTERS:

WHO IS IAN STEWART

- Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart has been in the role since 2012

- He oversaw the former Newman government's crackdown on bikie gangs

- Took charge of security and planning for the G20 global summit last year

- Before taking the top job he was state disaster co-ordinator during Cyclone Yasi and the state floods in 2011

HE'S BEEN REAPPOINTED

- Mr Stewart was granted a two-year contract extension on Tuesday

WHY IS THAT AN ISSUE

- All government department directors-general have been forced to reapply for their jobs under a merit-based appointment system this year

- Mr Stewart was simply granted an extension without having to reapply

WHAT'S BEEN SAID ABOUT IT

- The Queensland Police Union claims it's unacceptable to not vet Mr Stewart because he acts like a dictator and morale in the force is at an all-time low

- The opposition has criticised the opaque process and said they have concerns about Mr Stewart's longer term tenure

- The commissioner denied officers are disgruntled by his leadership, and was not in a popularity contest.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

- Mr Stewart says he will work twice as hard to protect Queenslanders from crime but must also do more to win back support from within the ranks of the police force.