Australia: After a 37-year career with the New South Wales Police Force, and a decade as Commissioner, Andrew Scipione OAM APM has announced he will retire in April, 2017.

Commissioner Scipione said he is proud the NSW Police Force has overwhelming support from the community & praised the dedication of officers past & present, adding officers should be proud that crime statistics are the lowest in every major crime category in over 20 years.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian & Minister of Police Tony Grant commended the Commissioner on his service to the people of NSW, Australia’s most populous State, with Force strength of 16,000 Officers.

The position of NSW Police Force Commissioner will be advertised nationally and appointment announced following a merit based assessment of candidates by an independent selection panel and with Cabinet approval.

Minister Grant said, “The leadership of the NSW Police Force must be strong and fit to meet the specific challenges we face as a Stat. As we work towards re-engineering the Police Force, a new Commissioner will lead the organisation into the future.”