NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione announces early retirement after chat with Premier
THE state’s top cop, Commissioner Andrew Scipione, will retire early on April 2, three months short of his 10th anniversary, after talks with new Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
NSW
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NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione today confirmed he will retire in April, months earlier than expected, after talks with the new Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Ms Berejiklian praised Mr Scipione’s work, saying NSW owed him a huge debt of gratitude.
“I don’t think I can thank him enough for his leadership of the police force ... of reducing crime in key areas but also ensuring we have the finest police force,” she said at a press conference with Police Minister Troy Grant and Mr Scipione.
The Daily Telegraph revealed earlier today national advertising for his job will begin immediately.
The new commissioner will be announced following “merit-based assessment of candidates by an independent selection panel and Cabinet approval”, a statement from Ms Berejiklian’s office revealed.
Mr Scipione will finish months ahead of his planned retirement on July 31, the 10th anniversary of his appointment, instead retiring on April 2.
Mr Scipione said it was with sadness he was stepping down, thanking his colleagues for their work.
“I walk in the shadows of heroes everyday,” he said today.
“I get to see the stories; I get to read what they do. Let me assure you that the state wouldn’t be in the safe position it’s in now if it wasn’t for those men and women.”
He was proud of reduced crime statistics, saying NSW had the finest police force not just in the country but the world.
“There are people walking around our streets today that did not become victims of crime.
“I wasn’t born in this nation, I came here as a child with my family, and for that I want to thank everyone.
“Until the second of April there is still much to be done, and that will be my focus until I walk out of the NSW police force for the last time.”
Two new deputy commissioners spots have not been decided yet and it’s expected the new police boss will have input in who is appointed to the position.
Competition within the force for the top job will be intense with two existing deputies and up to 10 assistant commissioners all in the running.
“I want to advise the community that Cabinet has begun the process of recruiting the new commissioner, we began that this morning, and the new commissioner will commence their responsibilities in April this year,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Mr Grant said: “The leadership of the NSW Police Force must be strong and fit to meet the specific challenges that we face as a state.
“As we work towards re-engineering the Police Force, a new commissioner will lead the organisation into the future.”
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