Minister for Police and Crime Prevention Mick Gentleman has officially welcomed the appointment of new ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee.
The ACT Government endorsed the Deputy Commissioners selection and Governor-General David Hurley approved the appointment of the Chief Police Officer to the rank of Deputy Commissioner last week, becoming the 17th person to lead ACT Policing since the formation of the Australian Federal Police in 1979.
Deputy Commissioner Lee brings with him over 38 years of policing experience having first joined the Australian Federal Police in 1985.
He has worked in areas including combatting terrorism, organised crime, money laundering, organised fraud, human trafficking, child sex offences, people smuggling, and foreign interference and takes over the Chief Police Officer role after performing recent roles as Assistant Commissioner of Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command and Assistant Commissioner Cyber Command.
Deputy Commissioner Lee replaces Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan who announced earlier this year his transition to retirement after a 40-year career in law enforcement, including the last four years as Chief Police Officer for the ACT.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Crime Prevention Mick Gentleman:
"I would like to welcome Deputy Commissioner Lee into the important role of Chief Police Officer for ACT Policing, I am confident his depth of policing experience will be a great asset in leading our police force into the future.
"Earlier the year the Government announced $107 million for the recruitment of 126 new policing personnel over the next five years and we hope this commitment of extra resources will help Deputy Commissioner Lee and ACT Policing in the tireless work they do in keeping Canberra safe.
"I would also like to put on the record my thanks for the commitment, dedication and service of outgoing CPO Neil Gaughan who led ACT Policing through a significant period of change, including the COVID-19 pandemic and I wish him well in retirement."
Quotes attributable to Chief Police Officer, Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee:
"I am looking forward to the significant responsibility that comes with leading more than 1000 people who work day and night to serve the Canberra community and keep them safe.
"Some of my first key priorities will be ensuring we continue to keep Canberrans safe, the health and wellbeing of our people, that we have the right facilities for our people to work in and that we are continually looking at ways that we can innovate and improve to be the best policing operation in the country.
"I have worked in Canberra, different parts of Australia and in roles internationally. The ACT is very much where my family and I call home and it is a great honour to serve in this role and to serve this growing and diverse community."
