NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb APM has today announced the appointment of two new Deputy Commissioners and two new Assistant Commissioners.
Deputy Commissioner appointments
• Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos APM has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services.
• Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Regional NSW Field Operations.
• Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM continues in the role of Metropolitan Field Operations.
• Deputy Commissioner David Hudson APM continues in the role of Investigations & Counter Terrorism.
Assistant Commissioner appointments
• Superintendent Rashelle Conroy APM has been appointed Assistant Commissioner, Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command.
• Superintendent Brett McFadden has been appointed Assistant Commissioner Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.
The following transfers have also been signed off by Commissioner Webb.
• Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke APM to Central Metropolitan Region.
• Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith APM to South West Metropolitan Region.
• Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty APM to Police Transport & Public Safety Command.
• Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter APM to Southern Region.
• Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald APM to State Crime Command.
• Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook APM to State Intelligence Command.
• Assistant Commissioner Scott Whyte APM to Police Prosecutions & Licensing Enforcement Command.
• Assistant Commissioner Anthony Crandell APM to Digital, Technology and Innovation.
• Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar APM to Professional Standards Command.
Commissioner Webb said the new appointments will strengthen, reinvigorate, and lead change across the NSW Police Force.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the officers promoted and welcome them to the Commissioners Executive Team and our Senior Executive Team," Commissioner Webb said.
"Strong, authentic leadership is key to our future and my vision over the next five years, and I look forward to stabilising the NSW Police Force following these announcements.
"These four very experienced and well-respected officers bring with them over 130 years of combined service, knowledge and expertise – which will be invaluable to the organisation and community of New South Wales.
"The past few years have brought unprecedented change across the world, and in turn, our country and community. We continue to adapt to the changing needs of the public – focusing our efforts on building relationships and trust, encouraging accountability and prioritising victim care," Commissioner Webb said.
Acting Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole congratulated the new members of the NSW Police Force executive leadership team.
"These distinguished officers have demonstrated the necessary skills and experience to lead the NSW Police Force going forward."
"Under the strong leadership of Commissioner Webb, I know they will continue to set the standard for policing in Australia – cracking down on crime, holding offenders to account and supporting victims."
The four new appointments will take up their positions from Sunday 3 April 2022.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER BIOS
Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos APM
Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos joined the NSW Police Force in 1987. From 1989 to 1996 he performed duties as a police prosecutor in the Police Prosecutions Command.
In 1997, Assistant Commissioner Pisanos was designated as a Detective while attached to Kings Cross Local Area Command, before being appointed to the rank of Detective Sergeant in 2000 at the Special Crime Unit. He was then promoted to Detective Inspector, Coordinator Investigations – Special Crime and Internal Affairs in 2003.
In 2007, Assistant Commissioner Pisanos transferred to the position of Crime Manager at Eastern Beaches Local Area Command. From here, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 2014 and performed duties as a Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner Field Operations.
A year later, he transferred to Leichhardt Police Area Command, where he took up the Youth Sponsor Portfolio within the Central Metropolitan Region. In 2017, he was transferred to Sydney City Police Area Command, and later that year appointed as Commander of the Tactical Operations Group.
In December 2019, Assistant Commissioner Pisanos was promoted to the role of Commander at the Capability, Performance and Youth Command. In 2021, he was appointed to the role of Professional Standards Commander.
Assistant Commissioner Pisanos was awarded the Australian Police Medal in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours list for his key leadership in community-based policing.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM
Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell joined the NSW Police Force in 1985 and was stationed at Redfern Police Station. In 1990, he commenced a career in criminal investigation, working in specialist investigation units at the Drug Enforcement Agency and Crime Agencies (now State Crime Command).
During his career, he has held numerous positions and appointments as a criminal investigator and as a Commander of both regional and metropolitan police commands.
As Commander of Mid North Coast Police District, he co-led the largest policing operation ever undertaken in regional NSW searching for wanted murderer Malcolm Naden, for which he was awarded a Commissioner's Commendation for Service.
Since April 2018, he has held the positions of Region Commander at both South West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan Regions. As Region Commander he also performed duties as the Corporate Sponsor for multiculturalism and alcohol-related crime.
In 2020, Assistant Commissioner Thurtell established and led the NSW Police Force's COVID-19 hotel quarantine and repatriation operation for returning international travellers.
Assistant Commissioner Thurtell is a recipient of the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Medal and the NSW Police Medal. He is also a registered legal practitioner with the Supreme Court of NSW.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER BIOS
Superintendent Rashelle Conroy APM
Superintendent Rashelle Conroy APM joined the NSW Police Force in 1995 as a Probationary Constable at Blacktown and Cabramatta Police Stations, before transferring to the Physical Evidence Section at Penrith in 1999. She later moved to the Chatswood Section in 2001 and then to Gosford in 2002.
In 2006, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant as a supervisor in the Gosford Crime Scene Section. In 2008, she was promoted to the rank of Senior Sergeant as the Hunter Zone Commander and in 2011, was further promoted to the rank of Inspector at Tuggerah Lakes Police Area Command, taking up the role of Duty Officer.
She returned to the Forensic Services Group in 2014 as the Human Resources/Professional Standards Manager and was promoted to the rank of Superintendent, Crime Scene Services Branch in 2019. In August 2021, she took up the position of District Commander at Lake Macquarie Police District.
Superintendent Rashelle Conroy holds a Diploma of Forensic Investigation, Bachelor of Policing and Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Management. In 2008, she achieved national expertise in Crime Scene Investigation as assessed by the Australasian Forensic Science Accreditation Board and in 2019 was awarded the Australian Police Medal.
Whilst performing the role of Commander, Crime Scene Services Branch she held the role of the NSW Disaster Victim Identification Commander and was the Deputy Chair for the Australasian Disaster Victim Identification Committee.
Superintendent Rashelle Conroy is a representative on the NSWPF's Inclusion and Diversity Council representing the disability and accessibility portfolio.
Superintendent Brett McFadden
Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 and commenced general duties at Castle Hill Police Station. He then performed duties at the Cumberland Special Operations Group, before moving into criminal investigations as a Detective.
In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector at the Professional Standards Command and moved into the position of Crime Manager at Hawkesbury Local Area Command in 2004.
In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and has performed the role of Commander at Holroyd and Penrith Local Area Commands, along with Nepean and Fairfield City Police Area Commands.
Detective Superintendent McFadden has been actively involved in the leadership of an extensive range of challenging incidents and events. Most recently, he worked in partnership with cultural and community leaders to provide critical leadership of the Fairfield community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
He is an active member of the Task Force Pioneer cadre for the response to terrorist incidents and has been extensively engaged in the development of police leaders through a range of training and mentoring programs.
