15/6/04
The State Government has selected Acting Deputy Commissioner (Standards and Reform) Karl O'Callaghan as Western Australia's new Commissioner of Police.
Premier Geoff Gallop said the appointment marked the return to a WA-trained career officer following external appointments.
"We look to Mr O'Callaghan to continue this State's recent successes in reducing crime rates and leading the WA Police Service into a new era," Dr Gallop said.
"We have chosen Mr O'Callaghan as a young officer to lead our Police Service through this period of cultural change following the Police Royal Commission and into a future that uses key technologies to fight crime and protect citizens.
"Boosting frontline policing is a priority for our Government and this commitment is shared by Mr O'Callaghan, who will also be accountable for implementing the significant change in the WA Police Service as a result of the Royal Commission's recommendations."
Police Minister Michelle Roberts said Mr O'Callaghan's appointment would build on his position as the current Acting Deputy Commissioner (Standards and Reform).
"His strong leadership in this area will be pivotal to changing the culture of the organisation to improve the primary goal of policing - to fight crime and make our community safe and secure," Mrs Roberts said.
"Mr O'Callaghan will bring to the WA Police Service the new era of policing called for by the Royal Commission.
"He brings a new focus to the Police Service's key DNA and fingerprinting technologies and their use to ensure frontline officers are best equipped to catch criminals and prevent crime.
"He has the State Government's support in using these technologies to protect and safeguard our communities."
One of Mr O'Callaghan's first tasks will be to help finalise the new leadership team with the appointment of two new deputy commissioners.
The Premier said as the State's first PhD-qualified police officer, Mr O'Callaghan was an officer with a great deal of experience in developing and implementing major crime-fighting initiatives that was underpinned by academic rigor and critical analysis.
Mr O'Callaghan, educated at Kalamunda Senior High School, joined the WA Police Service at 17 and has given nearly 30 years of service to the public. He was responsible for establishing the Regional Operations Group - a team of highly mobile officers that patrol the metropolitan area - and co-ordinating the new $5million police assistance centre in Midland.
"Mr O'Callaghan will bring a new focus on the results which current technology, like DNA testing, can bring to achieving more frontline results," Mrs Roberts said.
"He will have the State Government's backing to use technology to help police officers protect and safeguard our communities from whatever kind of threat we face."
Mr O'Callaghan has served in various posts across the State including executive director of the force responsible for finances and strategic direction, superintendent in charge of the busiest metropolitan police district at Cannington, superintendent at Northam police station and a superintendent in the police Professional Standards Portfolio.
Media contacts:
Office of the Premier - 9222 9475
Office of the Minister for Police - 9213 6600
