A man who died after he was run over by a senior Queensland police officer in Cairns this morning has been named as Ryan Savage, a butcher and young father from Longreach.

Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor was pulling into work at the Cairns police headquarters when he hit the man with his car about 4.20am, initial investigations suggest.

Mr Savage may have been sleeping near the garage door of the Sheridan Street premises, police believe.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor. (File image)

The 37-year-old was in Cairns for a bucks' weekend, 9NEWS understands.

Paramedics attended and pronounced Mr Savage dead at the scene.

Asst. Comm. Taylor has been stood down from his position indefinitely and the investigation is being overseen by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the investigation would proceed without compromise.

The car park has been cordoned off as a crime scene. (9NEWS)

"We have made arrangements to ensure that the confidence of the community in an independent and thorough investigation is undertaken," he said.

"We have made arrangements for a number of specialists from the Queensland Police Service to be flown into Cairns to carry out the investigations."