On 14 May 1878, Short joined the very small Queensland Police Force, training in Brisbane, before being posted to the then-most distant south-western station of Saint George.

[3] Together with Trooper Power, he later went to Booligar, on the Narran River to establish a camp with rumours of the Ned Kelly gang of bushrangers working towards the area from New South Wales.

[2][8] A promotion to senior inspector saw Short move to Petrie Terrace Police Depot, to overview the Brisbane district.

In 1924 Short witnessed legislation which provided a system of appeal against promotions to members of the Queensland Police Union up to and including the rank of senior sergeant.

[12][13] While a young constable, Short married Eleanor Teresa Butler on 30 June 1880 at the Roman Catholic Church at Roma, Queensland.

[14] Short himself died at his residence on 14 February 1941, with the service held at Saint Agatha's Church, Clayfield,[3] and was buried with his wife.