First woman appointed to lead Australian Federal Police as Reece Kershaw retires a year early

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw is retiring a year early to spend more time with his grandchildren, and will be replaced by the first woman to head the nation’s police force.

Deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett, who most recently oversaw the AFP’s national security portfolio, will replace Kershaw in October.

Kershaw’s early retirement comes after the police chief faced scrutiny over his handling of the Dural caravan plot in Sydney, which was first described as a terrorist act but was later revealed to be a fake plot by powerful crime figures to distract police and influence prosecutions.

The commissioner refused to answer questions at a hearing in February about whether he had briefed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the plot.

But in announcing Kershaw’s departure at a press conference in Canberra on Monday, Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he would leave his role on good terms with the government after his six-year tenure.

“Commissioner Kershaw has made an extraordinary contribution to public life, and we are deeply grateful for his service,” Albanese said. “[He] has been absolutely on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week with his commitment to his fellow Australians.”

Burke said Kershaw was retiring with his head held high to spend more time with family.

“Commissioner Kershaw asked to meet with me with no staff present and in the meeting, to my surprise … said that he had set October 3 as the date that he was intending to retire,” Burke said.

Kershaw said his time as commissioner has taken its toll on his family but that he was grateful for his time with the AFP.

“Being a grandfather has changed me dramatically, and I need to be there for my family,” he said.

“We sacrifice a lot, in particular our family, including my wife’s own career. She gave up her career to support me, so it is time for me to give back.”

Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus extended Kershaw’s term in May last year for two years to October 2026, instead of the usual five-year extension.

Government sources confirmed the two-year extension was because the police commissioner was not committed to a full term, but there was a view that none of the assistant commissioners were ready for the role. Barrett had impressed people with her national security work since then, prompting Kershaw to bring forward his retirement.

Barrett was the first choice for Albanese and Burke after Kershaw told them of his resignation.

“[Barrett] is highly renowned for her leadership capability, and I’ve certainly seen that firsthand in the dealings that I’ve had with Ms Barrett, as well as the way that she has represented the AFP on matters before the National Security Committee,” Albanese said.

The first woman to lead the AFP, Barrett has almost 25 years of experience dealing with community policing, counter-terrorism, financial crime and organised crime.

Barrett said she would be committed to championing all staff in the force, as she had started her career in the AFP as an administrative assistant, and acknowledged how the police were constantly responding to an ever-changing environment.

Asked about her view of the pro-Palestine protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday and how she would approach social cohesion given conflicts around the world, she said the AFP would continue to work closely with state police forces.

“I did say I would have more to say on my priorities going forward, but absolutely [social cohesion] is right at the top of the list,” she said.

Barrett has been recognised for her distinguished service to the Solomon Islands and the Bali bombings investigation. She received a Police Overseas Service Medal in 2004 and an Operations Medal in 2005.

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