The Australian Federal Police has reached beyond its deputy ranks and into the state and territory police services to appoint Northern Territory Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw as the new AFP Commissioner.
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Mr Kershaw is a former federal officer and has been the NT's Commissioner since scandal embroiled the territory's former top cop, John McRoberts, who was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Mr Kershaw's announcement was made by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in Canberra on Wednesday. He will succeed Andrew Colvin as AFP Commissioner in late September.
Mr Colvin announced his decision to stand down last week, ending a 30-year career in law enforcement.
In announcing the appointment, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton praised both Mr Kershaw and Mr Colvin.
"He has an extremely distinguished policing and public service career. His representatives country and the state and territory with the great respect of those who served under him and I'm very pleased that he has accepted the offer to become the next Commissioner," Mr Dutton said.
"I want to truly pay tribute to Andrew Colvin was served for 30 years with the Australian Federal Police and has led the organisation with great distinction and capacity and Andrew Colvin is also a relatively young man who will go on to a very distinguished career in the next part of his life as well and we wish AC all the best."
Mr Kershaw said that his major focus would be counter-terrorism and organised crime.
He also reflected on the five officer suicides within the ranks of the federal police in the past two years, saying there was "more work to do" in this area and the AFP "was not alone in this area".
