Deputy police commissioner Grant Stevens will become the next police chief. Picture: Tom Huntley
Source: News Corp Australia
DEPUTY police commissioner Grant Stevens will become South Australia’s new police chief.
The Advertiser can exclusively reveal that Mr Stevens’ direct appointment was approved by Cabinet yesterday following an exhaustive evaluation process.
Sources said the Cabinet recommendation would now go before Executive Council on Thursday for ratification, but this was expected to be a formality.
The move, which will be welcomed by both commissioned and rank-and-file officers, follows Police Commissioner Gary Burns’ decision to retire at the end of June.
Mr Stevens, 51, has been deputy commissioner to Mr Burns since September 2012. He narrowly missed out on the top job following Mal Hyde’s retirement three months earlier.
While Mr Steven’s appointment as SA’s 21st police commissioner is a departure from the traditional process, it was made following a comprehensive evaluation process initiated by Police Minister Tony Piccolo.
Mr Stevens, who is widely respected within SAPOL, the government, Opposition and emergency services agencies, is a 33-year veteran who has worked in almost every operational area of SAPOL as a uniformed officer, detective and commissioned officer.
He also has considerable experience in counter terrorism and emergency management, community programs, drug and alcohol management and human resource management and policy.
As a senior detective, he spearheaded SAPOL’s response to child sexual abuse when the Paedophile Task Force was established in 2004 and more recently, has been driving the police response to preventing and investigating domestic violence in the community.
As deputy commissioner since 2012, he has been responsible for the management of all frontline operational and emergency policing across the state and represents SAPOL on the national Counter Terrorism Committee.
Significantly, he has also been the program director of SAPOL’s Reform Program since it was launched by Mr Burns in 2013. As such, he is responsible for developing and implementing the far-reaching restructuring and service-based initiatives expected to be introduced as it continues.
Neither the government nor SAPOL would comment on Mr Stevens’ appointment when approached last night.
The process for appointing a new police chief began in late January when Mr Burns formally advised the government of his intention to retire on June 30.
Sources have told The Advertiser moves were made to appoint Mr Stevens “from day one’’ because of his high standing and calibre within policing circles — not just locally, but nationally.
While calling for applicants nationally was discussed as an option, the Government’s leadership group decided to bypass that process and carefully investigate the direct appointment of Mr Stevens.
Early last month, Mr Piccolo established an assessment panel comprising Commissioner For Public Employment Erma Ranieri, Attorney-General’s Department chief executive officer Rick Persse and Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hine to scrutinise Mr Stevens.
It is understood that after analysing his curriculum vitae and liaising with referees both locally and nationally, he was summonsed for a meeting with the panel in late February.
Following that meeting, a recommendation was provided to Mr Piccolo and Premier Jay Weatherill for final consideration prior to going to Cabinet yesterday.
A source said the decision was “microscopically considered’’ and made “not just with SAPOL’s future in mind, but the safety of the community”.
“Grant’s track record speaks for itself in this area. His commitment to that cannot be faulted,’’ the source said.
“His appointment will also ensure the stability that the organisation is now thriving under continues for some time to come.’’
Mr Stevens will take up his appointment in July. It’s expected the deputy commissioner’s position will be finalised by that time.
Deputy police commissioner Grant Stevens to become SA’s next police chief
No comments:
Post a Comment