Appointment of new Police Commissioner Barry Matthews announced [Audio] / [Visual]

16/6/99
New Zealand Deputy Police Commissioner Barry Matthews will be the new Western Australian Commissioner of Police.
State Cabinet has approved the five-year appointment of Mr Matthews. He will replace Bob Falconer, who retires next week.
Premier Richard Court said Mr Matthews' appointment followed a comprehensive national and international search for a new Commissioner of Police to lead the WA Police Service into the new millennium. Mr Matthews was the preferred candidate recommended by an independent selection panel.
The panel comprised:

• Australian Federal Police Commissioner Michael Palmer;
• Dr Irene Froyland, Director, Centre for Police Research, Edith Cowan University;
• Professor Timothy Rohl, Director of the Australian Institute of Police Management; and -
• John Langoulant, Under Treasurer, WA Treasury;

"Mr Matthews is an outstanding police officer, with strong, strategic leadership qualities who is highly regarded by colleagues and rank and file officers in New Zealand," the Premier said.

"He is an officer with 34 years experience who has successfully managed significant change within New Zealand Police .

"Mr Matthews has demonstrated the visionary qualities required of a police commissioner to continue to effectively implement further reform within the WA Police Service under the Delta Program and maintain and reinforce the service's position at the forefront of policing in Australia."

Mr Court said the State Government had received applications for the position of Police Commissioner from high calibre candidates within Western Australia, interstate and overseas.

"The State Government has maintained throughout the rigorous selection process that it would appoint the best applicant for the position and, at the end of the day, Mr Matthews is that person," he said.

"He will be supported by a first-class command team with enormous local experience, knowledge and expertise."

The Premier said it was regrettable that Mr Falconer had, for family reasons, chosen not to renew his contract with the State Government.

"Mr Falconer has, during his five-year tenure, helped the WA Police Service evolve into one of, if not the most professional, police services in Australia," he said.

"His courage and vision has given more command authority and responsibility to officers at a street level, helping them to better manage and solve local issues. This policy is beginning to show results and his support for initiatives such as Safer WA has highlighted the shared responsibility for safety and security between Government and the community.

"The WA Police Service is now better prepared than ever before - with the full support of the State Government - to address issues of law and order."

Mr Matthews, 52, will take early retirement from New Zealand Police and will take up his new position in Western Australia on August 16.

He joined NZ Police in 1965 and worked in frontline roles in both uniform and CIB.

Most of Mr Matthews' service has been in Auckland, until he transferred to Police National Headquarters to take up the position of Assistant Commissioner (Planning and Finance) in May 1993.

He was promoted to Deputy Commissioner (Operations) in July 1995 and then became the sole Deputy Commissioner 12 months later until a second deputy was appointed in January of this year.

Mr Matthews - who holds a Diploma of Criminology, a Bachelor of Law degree and a Masters degree in Business Administration - is married with three adult children.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475

New Zealand Deputy Police Commissioner Barry Matthews (left) with Premier Richard Court ready for the announcement of Mr Matthew's appointment.

" I have made an investment in policing in terms of studying and the experience and knowledge which I believe would add value to the job that Bob Falconer has done in terms of the Delta Program."

(33secs/701KB)

" One of our aims that I would look back on at the completion of my five year term would have been to reduce crime levels as they currently are." (17secs/358KB)

"We have been given a very clear message: You are very fortunate to have this gentleman as your new Police Commissioner."(12secs/251KB

"We have a responsibility as a Government to appoint the best person for the job." (27secs/593KB)