Nation’s top cop Andrew Colvin to stand down

AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin describes the decision as “by far the hardest” in his career.

Andrew Colvin will step down as AFP commissioner in October. Picture: Gary Ramage

Australia’s top cop Andrew Colvin has announced he will stand down in October, in what he described as “by far the hardest decision of my 30 years as a police officer”.

The Australian Federal Police commissioner decided earlier this year he would not renew his five-year contract.

Mr Colvin informed the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Martin Parkinson, before the May 18 federal election and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who is responsible for the AFP, shortly afterwards.

“I believe this is the right decision for me, for my family, and for the AFP,” Mr Colvin said.

“The AFP is a great organisation and we do incredibly important work every day to keep Australia safe. It is with enormous pride that I have led the AFP for the past five years, a time during which we have achieved incredible success against a range of crimes both at home, and abroad.

“Rapidly changing crime types both in Australia and overseas have required the organisation to transform by adopting new technologies and shifting traditional thinking about how crime is combated.”

Mr Colvin acknowledged the “difficult, often life-threatening work members of the AFP perform” and said it could take its toll.

Earlier this year he appealed to his officers to “put their hand up” and seek help when they were struggling, after four of his officers took their own lives within two years.

“We have a privileged role in society but it comes at a cost,” Mr Colvin said today.

“While there is always more to be done, we have sought expert independent advice nationally and internationally, we have implemented a holistic AFP health and wellbeing strategy, and we have taken a range of proactive steps to provide additional support where it is most needed. But this will continue to be one of our greatest challenges going forward.”

‘Inspirational’

Mr Dutton thanked Mr Colvin for “inspirational leadership, diligence and hard work in protecting the community” and said he had made Australia “a safer place”.

“Andrew Colvin has impressed all of us who have worked with him with his stewardship of the AFP in responding to rapidly changing crime types, both in Australia and internationally,” Mr Dutton said.

“In particular, his leadership in responding to serious terrorism plots – such as we saw in 2017 when an explosive device was prevented from being placed on an international aircraft at Sydney Airport – have improved the security of our nation.

“In addition, the significant work he has completed in an effort to dismantle Commonwealth fraud, combat criminal gangs and counter child exploitation has been instrumental in countless arrests and prosecutions.”

The role was “demanding and relentless” and “comes with an enormous sacrifice made by Andrews’s family”.

“I pay special tribute to Andrew’s wife Natalie and family who have supported Andrew through his career and acknowledge the time spent apart necessitated by a very demanding job,” Mr Dutton said.

Mr Colvin joined the AFP in 1990. He coordinated the AFP’s response to terrorism between 2002 and 2005, encompassing the 2002 Bali bombings and 2003 Marriott bombing and 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta.

He was AFP chief of staff, national manager of high-tech crime operations and held deputy commissioner roles before being appointed commissioner in 2014. He departs the AFP at the end of September.

Changes had been necessary under his leadership to make the AFP “future ready”, he said.

“Five years ago, we embarked on significant reform for the AFP which we always knew would be challenging, but ultimately agency-defining.

“We took the time to consider what we do, but also how we do it. I want to say thank you to the AFP for embracing the changes I believe were so necessary in becoming the best organisation that we can be.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been a part of this organisation for almost the entirety of my working life and to work alongside the most dedicated and professional men and women, committed to protecting the communities they serve.”

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