NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw named AFP Comissioner

A DECORATED Northern Territory police officer has been announced as the next commissioner of the Australian Federal Police

A DECORATED police officer with a career stretching across the globe has been announced as the next commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.

Reece Kershaw, who now leads the Northern Territory police, will replace Andrew Colvin when he retires in September.

“He has an extremely distinguished policing and public service career,” Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Mr Kershaw said he was looking forward to stepping into the new role.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to lead the men and women of the Australian Federal Police who’ve continually delivered for the Australian community and the Australian Government over the last 40 years,” he said.

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“My initial focus will be around making sure those frontline officers in the AFP are supported with the right training, the right technology the right equipment and that the operating model of the organisation is fit for purpose for now and the future and also that the health and well being of all staff is examined in relation to those strategies and those support mechanisms.

“My service as includes serving in Europe, Asia the pacific — and most recently for the last nine years in a state policing environment — where I have been able to understand the importance of true partnerships of law enforcement and other agencies – that will be another area of my focus, to make sure that we are able to unleash and unlock those law enforcement resources that do as much damage to the criminal environment, to those persons that break the law and to those organisations that seek to harm Australians and to make sure that Australia is as safe as it can be.”

NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has been named the new AFP Commissioner by Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton. PICTURE: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

It was only on November 2 last year that NT Police Minister Nicole Manison announced Mr Kershaw’s reappointment, until 2023.

“Mr Kershaw has served as the Commissioner of Police and CEO of Fire and Emergency Services since April 2015,” Ms Manison said at the time.

“His reappointment will ensure continuity and stability in the NTPFES executive.

“As commissioner he has played a critical role in our efforts to tackle the Territory’s number one challenge — alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour — and is also working to bolster police numbers in our remote communities.”

Ms Manison has been contacted for comment.

At a press conference at 11.30 this morning, NT Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler and Resources Minister Paul Kirby were unaware of Mr Kershaw’s departure.

Ms Lawler struggled to give a clear answer on the impact that Mr Kershaw’s resignation will have on the Police leadership and anti-crime programs being implemented.

I wasn’t aware that he was the Federal Police Commissioner, but I was aware that he had been unwell lately,” she said.

“We have a great depth in our police force, I work very closely with the police in Palmerston, we have the utmost respect for the work they do and I think any Territorian you talk to that the work with police around crime is amazing.

“They are absolutely doing an amazing job out there around the issues of managing crime, sorting crime.

“Congratulations to the new Commissioner, that’s an amazing step forward for him, a great opportunity for him, I wish him well in his career.”

Ms Lawler said she was unaware whether Police Minister Nicole Manison knew about Mr Kershaw leaving his NT post.

“I’ve been preparing for a press conference so you would have to ask Nicole Mansion that,’ Ms Lawler said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro congratulated Mr Kershaw in his new role.

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“News of NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw starting in a new role as AFP Commissioner is significant, and shows the Northern Territory has some of the best police in Australia who are more than capable of filling such a huge role on a national scale,” she said.

“The Northern Territory has endless opportunity to start and grow your career in the police, and this is evident through Reece managing a regional police force, to now heading up the AFP.

“We wish Reece all the best in his new position, and know he’ll do a great job, as he has done in the Northern Territory.”

Mr Kershaw is not the first Territory police commissioner to go on to career as the Australian Federal Police commissioner.

Mick Palmer became the AFP commissioner in June 1994, after six years as the NT chief inspector.