Christopher John DawsonACAPMis the 34thGovernor of Western Australiaand a formerpolice officerwho served as theCommissionerof theWestern Australia Police Forcefrom 2017 to 2022.[1][2][3]He was sworn in as governor on 15 July 2022.[4]
Chris Dawson | |
|---|---|
 Dawson in 2022 | |
| 34thGovernor of Western Australia | |
| Assumed office 15 July 2022 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Premier | Mark McGowan Roger Cook |
| Lieutenant Governor | Peter Quinlan |
| Preceded by | Kim Beazley |
| CommissionerofWestern Australia Police | |
| In office 15 August 2017 – 14 July 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Karl O'Callaghan |
| Succeeded by | Col Blanch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher John Dawson 1958/1959 (age 65–66) |
| Spouse | Darrilyn |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Government House, Perth(official) |
| Education | Perth Modern School |
| Profession | Police officer Public servant |
| Police career | |
| Allegiance | Western Australia Police Force |
| Department | Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Australian Institute of Criminology 2014–2017 |
| Branch | State Emergency and Vaccine Coordination |
| Service years | 1976–2022 |
| Rank | Commissioner(2017–2022) Deputy Commissioner(2004–2014) Superintendent(1999–2004) |
| Awards | Australian Police Medal(2002) |
Police career
editDawson joinedWestern Australia Policein February 1976 as a cadet. He was promoted to superintendent in 1999. The2002 Queen's Birthday Honourssaw him receive theAustralian Police Medal.Dawson was appointed Deputy Commissioner in July 2004 underKarl O'Callaghan.Dawson led security arrangements atCHOGM 2011.He left Western Australia Police in April 2014 to be chief executive officer of theAustralian Criminal Intelligence Commission.He was also Director of theAustralian Institute of Criminology.He became the Commissioner of Western Australia Police in August 2017.[5][6][7]Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dawson acted in a number of roles, including State Emergency Coordinator and Vaccine Commander.[8][9]Dawson received an honourable send-off on 14 July 2022 at Western Australia Police headquarters after five years as commissioner.[9]
Governor of Western Australia
editOn 4 April 2022,PremierMark McGowanannounced Dawson as the replacement toKim Beazleyas theGovernor of Western Australia,afterElizabeth II,Queen of Australia, and the WA Cabinet endorsed Dawson's appointment on the same day.[10][11]He was sworn in on 15 July 2022 and was replaced as Police Commissioner by his former deputy Col Blanch.[12][13]Dawson was the first police officer to be appointed as the Queen's representative for Western Australia.[9]
Dawson was appointed aCompanion of the Order of Australiain the2023 Australia Day Honoursfor "eminent service to public administration through law enforcement roles, to reconciliation, and as the 34th Governor appointed in Western Australia".
Honours
edit| Viceregal styles of Chris Dawson (2022–present) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Excellency the Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
- Orders
26 January 2023:Companion of the Order of Australia(AC) "For eminent service to public administration through law enforcement roles, to reconciliation, and as the 34th Governor appointed in Western Australia"[14][15]
31 January 2023:Knight of Grace of the Order of St John[16]
- Decorations
- Appointments
- 2023: Colonel of theRoyal Western Australia Regiment.
- 2023:Deputy Prior of the Order of St John.[18]
References
edit- ^Hickey, Phil; Foster, Brendan (1 August 2017)."Chris Dawson WA's new top cop".WA Today.Fairfax Media.Retrieved26 September2017.
- ^Emerson, Daniel (1 August 2017)."'Our police will be the best in the country'".Perth Now.Seven West Media.Retrieved26 September2017.
- ^"Commissioner of Police".Western Australia Police.Retrieved26 September2017.
- ^McGowan, Mark (15 July 2022)."New era as Governor Chris Dawson is officially sworn in".Media Statements of the Government of Western Australia.Archived fromthe originalon 15 July 2022.Retrieved15 July2022.
- ^"Commissioner of Police: Chris Dawson".Western Australia Police Force.Retrieved15 August2021.
- ^"New Police Commissioner for WA – Chris Dawson APM".Premier of Western Australia and Cabinet Ministers.Retrieved15 August2021.
- ^Hickey, Phil; Foster, Brendan (August 2017)."Chris Dawson WA's new top cop".WAtoday.Retrieved15 August2021.
- ^"COVID-19 Vaccine Commander appointed for WA".www.wa.gov.au.24 August 2021.Retrieved15 July2022.
- ^abc"Former top cop Chris Dawson sworn in as 34th governor of Western Australia".ABC News.15 July 2022.Retrieved15 July2022.
- ^McNeill, Heather (4 April 2022)."Police Commissioner Chris Dawson announced as next WA Governor".WAtoday.Retrieved26 June2022.
- ^"New Western Australian Governor announced".Media Statements.4 April 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 28 April 2022.Retrieved26 June2022.
- ^Bourke, Keane (14 June 2022)."WA Police deputy Col Blanch named new commissioner, replacing Chris Dawson".ABC News.Retrieved26 June2022.
- ^"McGowan Government thanks outgoing Police Commissioner".Media Statements.14 July 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 5 November 2022.Retrieved14 July2022.
- ^"Australia Day 2023 Honours: Full list".The Sydney Morning Herald.25 January 2023.Retrieved25 January2023.
- ^Hiatt, Bethany (25 January 2023)."WA Governor Chris Dawson tops list of West Aussies recognised in Australia Day honours".The West Australian.Retrieved25 January2023.
- ^"Investiture of the Governor into the Order of St John".Government House, Western Australia.Governor of Western Australia.Retrieved23 August2023.
- ^"The Queen's Birthday 2002 Honours"(PDF).Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.10 June 2002.
- ^"Understanding the Most Venerable Order of St John"(PDF).Governor of New South Wales.12 December 2014.Retrieved24 August2018.