Released 25/07/2017
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman today welcomed Assistant Commissioner Justine Saunders as the new Chief Police Officer for the ACT.
Assistant Commissioner Saunders begins her duties as Chief Police Officer today following her appointment to the role in August.
“Assistant Commissioner Saunders brings a breadth of experience to the role that will prove invaluable,” Mr Gentleman said.
“After 17 years serving in national and international AFP roles, I am pleased Assistant Commissioner Saunders has returned to the ACT Policing ranks to bring her significant expertise to the role of Chief Police Officer.
“Over her career, Assistant Commissioner Saunders has spent 27 years working in community policing and national operational areas within the AFP, including drug importation and fraud.
“Assistant Commissioner Saunders has a distinguished background in policing, which includes having spent three years in New York representing Australia’s interests on strategic policing and UN peacekeeping as the Australian Police Adviser to the Australian Mission to the United Nations.”
Assistant Commissioner Saunders joined the AFP in 1989 and has a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Policing Studies) with Distinction, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management and a Masters in Management and Leadership (Policing).
“I am sure the Government will continue to have a close working relationship with ACT Policing and I look forward to working with Assistant Commissioner Saunders to ensure we keep our community safe,” Mr Gentleman said.
“I would like to thank retiring Assistant Commissioner Rudi Lammers for his invaluable work as Chief Police Officer and wish him all the best for the future.”
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases