Press release from the Hon Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Justice
Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, today announced that Western Australia Police Deputy Commissioner, Chris Dawson APM, has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission (ACC).
“I would like to congratulate Mr Dawson on his appointment as CEO of the ACC. I believe he is the best person to lead the ACC in coordinating intelligence to combat serious and organised crime that is threatening Australian communities and businesses,” Mr Keenan said.
Mr Dawson joined WA Police as a cadet in 1976 and has had a revered career serving in country and metropolitan positions with specialist portfolios of serious and organised crime, counter terrorism and state protection, as well as leading agency reform following the outcomes of the Royal Commission into the WA Police Force. More recently he was State Commander for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) where he was responsible for the security of all attending Heads of State from 53 Commonwealth countries and their respective other senior ministers and delegates.
Mr Dawson reviewed English, Scottish and North American police training methodologies at a variety of respected institutions including, the Scottish Police College, the FBI National Academy, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police College and the London Metropolitan Police College.
“The role of CEO of the ACC is one of the most senior law enforcement positions in the entire nation. Having someone with the level of policing experience that Chris Dawson does, as well as his specific know-how in tackling serious and organised crime, will serve the agency well,” Mr Keenan said.
“Mr Dawson will lead a highly skilled team of experts with significant technological and intelligence gathering abilities tasked with forming the national intelligence picture of serious and organised crime in Australia.
“Under the Coalition Government the ACC will be Australia’s premiere criminal intelligence body. As the CEO, Mr Dawson, will work closely with Commonwealth, State and Territory representatives to support their efforts to combat serious and organised crime and ensure a comprehensive national response to this serious threat is achieved.
“I congratulate Mr Dawson on his appointment, and thank Mr Paul Jevtovic APM who has been acting in this position in the interim,” Mr Keenan said.
Mr Dawson assumes the Chief Executive Officer position from Monday 28 April 2014 and will be based in Canberra.