Western Australia's deputy police commissioner Col Blanch will lead the 6,800-strong force after being described as the "stand out" replacement for Chris Dawson.
Western Australia's deputy police commissioner Col Blanch will lead the 6,800-strong force after being described as the "stand out" replacement for Chris Dawson.
Police Minister Paul Papalia said the selection panel, which included Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw, unanimously backed Mr Blanch's appointment. He takes over from Mr Dawson on July 15, when the outgoing commissioner is sworn in as WA Governor.
"Mr Blanch was the standout candidate," the minister said. "People know who the next commissioner is. They've experienced his leadership style. They've worked with him over the last five years. He's been integrally involved in a lot of the the operational matters that we've confronted in the last few years. People know what they're getting and who is going to be leading them. He was the outstanding candidate."
Originally from Perth, Mr Blanch graduated as a police officer in Victoria and rose to become the executive director of intelligence at the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. He forged a strong working relationship with Mr Dawson, who was the ACIC commissioner at the time.
Mr Blanch returned to WA as an assistant commissioner and was a deputy for the past three years.
"I'm a cop through and through," the 30-year career veteran said. "As long as our officers do their duty with integrity I'll be standing there with you. I'm happy to stand up here and take all the bad news as well as the good news. It's my job."
Mr Blanch even acknowledged he'd lost more than 30 kilograms ahead of the new position. He said he wanted to avoid any newspaper cartoons depicting him as the "fat police commisisoner" surrounded by donuts.
While not being involved in the recruitment process, Mr Dawson said WA is in good hands.
He praised his replacement's skills as an organised crime investigator and singled out Mr Blanch's work on Project Eligo - a national taskforce that brought down an international money laundering operation.
"I obviously watched him very closely and I have full confidence in Col's integrity," Mr Dawson said. "And lastly, he cares and is not just about our people, the men and women of our police force. He cares about our community."
Mr Blanch is known for his passion for using technology to target crime and, among the rank-and-file, is seen as very approachable.
