The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are to have four Deputy Commissioners to deal with growing criminal threats under a restructure that has promoted more women into senior positions than at any time in the Police Commission’s history.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the restructure split the Commission’s crime and national security responsibilities with the role of Deputy Commissioner for Investigations replaced by the two new roles of Deputy Commissioner National Security and Deputy Commissioner Crime.
Commissioner Kershaw said he would now be supported by Deputy Commissioner National Security Ian McCartney, Acting Deputy Commissioner Crime Grant Nicholls, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan and Deputy Commissioner International and Specialist Capabilities Command Lesa Gale.
He said Deputy Commissioner Gale had become the second woman in the AFP to be promoted to Deputy Commissioner and had responsibility for the AFP’s specialist capabilities.
“Deputy Commissioner McCartney will lead engagement on matters involving Australia’s national security frameworks, including counter terrorism and foreign interference, and its operational implementation; plus aviation, protection and security,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
“Acting Deputy Commissioner Nicholls will be responsible for developing and managing the AFP’s crime and cyber strategies and related policy issues,” he said.
“Deputy Commissioner Gaughan, whose career with the AFP spans more than 30 years, continues to oversee community policing operations in the ACT and for the AFP’s activities in external territories.”
Commissioner Kershaw said the restructure had promoted more female Assistant Commissioners, making them the most senior AFP member in the State or command they served in.
He said Assistant Commissioner Krissy Barrett had become the first woman in the AFP to lead Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command, while Southern Command (Victoria and Tasmania) would now be led by Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec, and Northern Command (Queensland and part of the Northern Territory) by Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough.
Commissioner Kershaw said a new Assistant Commissioner position for Intelligence and Covert Services had also been created, with former Commander Intelligence Operations, Hans Koenderink to take the role.
