Krissy Barrett Appointed First Female Australian Federal Police Commissioner

• Krissy Barrett was appointed the first female Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner, a great step towards gender equality in the Australian police force
• She would become the ninth AFP Commissioner and would have spent 25 years in the police force with an abundance of experience behind her

Australia is about to get it’s first-ever female Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner, with Krissy Barrett getting the high-profile job. Her appointment was officially made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, representing a historic occasion for the AFP and the country.

Krissy, a deputy commissioner, will be the ninth AFP Commissioner, replacing Reece Kershaw, who will retire on October 4 after six years. Her service of 25 years in law enforcement has included significant contributions to foreign operations like deployments to the Solomon Islands as well as work on the Bali bombings probe.

Prime Minister Albanese welcomed the appointment, declaring, "Today's announcement is a historic one for the Australian government and for the AFP, with Krissy becoming the first woman to head the organisation. The work of the AFP is critical in keeping our country safe."

Krissy entered as an administrative assistant in the Melbourne AFP office and worked her way up progressively. Looking back on her rise, she was full of gratitude and devotion to duty: "I never thought that one day I would be commanding this very excellent organisation. I assure you I will be your champion. I will respect the uniform and work every day to keep Australians safe and our lifestyle."

Outgoing commissioner Reece Kershaw was thanked for his efforts to combat organized crime and develop relationships between Pacific police forces. He credited his decision to leave with his family life being affected by the demands of the job. "Being a grandfather has changed me. It's time to give back to my family," he said, acknowledging the sacrifices of policing.