State Crime Command has commenced operations under a new structure, enhancing NSW Police Force’s response to major, serious, and organised crime, NSW Police say.
As part of the re-engineering process, and following significant consultation, State Crime Command has realigned 11 squads into eight, with a streamlined approach to reactive and proactive investigations.
The new squads will be overseen by the Crime Operations Directorate, an amalgamation of the Serious Crime and Organised Crime Directorates, to improve coordination and capability across the command.
State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon, said the new squad structures represent a modernisation of the command to adapt to changes in serious and organised crime in recent years.
"Today marks a significant change to State Crime Command; a change that represents the future of preventing and investigating major crime," Assistant Commissioner Lanyon said.
"With technological advances and globalisation, the landscape of crime has changed, and the NSW Police Force is evolving the way we target it – this is about providing the community with the best services possible.
"The new structure builds on our previous successes, and importantly, positions the command to address future crime challenges, as demonstrated by the establishment of a dedicated Cybercrime Squad.
"I am confident the new State Crime Command will provide a more agile, coordinated, and professional approach to major criminal investigation in New South Wales."
New State Crime Command Structure and Commanders:
Director Crime Operations: Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Smith
The Director, Crime Operations, oversights serious and organised criminal activity which impacts on New South Wales and coordinates the operations of the eight investigative squads to prevent and investigate those crimes.
Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad: Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad coordinates the NSWPF response to child sexual abuse, serious physical abuse or extreme neglect; and adult sexual offences that are protracted, complex, and require a high-level specialist response.
In addition, the squad conducts proactive and reactive investigations into online child exploitation, including grooming, procurement, and the production, dissemination and possession of child abuse material.
Criminal Groups Squad: Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace
The Criminal Groups Squad targets groups and individuals who engage in serious and organised crime, in particular, those that have a propensity for violence. This includes specialist investigation capabilities into crimes committed by outlaw motorcycle gangs and other criminal groups
Strike Force Raptor continues to conduct proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantling any network engaged in serious criminal activity.
Cybercrime Squad: Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis
The Cybercrime Squad conducts investigations into technology-enabled crimes, including crimes against computers and systems, and the use of technology to facilitate the commission of traditional crimes.
The squad detects, investigates, disrupts, and prosecutes organised, serious, complex, and financially significant technology-enabled crime, and provide specialist investigative and technical advice, support, and assistance investigators throughout NSW, as required.
Drugs and Firearms: Detective Superintendent Peter McErlain
The Drug and Firearms Squad leads investigations into high-level and organised criminal networks involved in the supply, distribution, and manufacture of illicit drugs and firearms, as well as clandestine laboratory response, chemical diversion, and rural surveillance.
This includes providing professional consultancy, direction, and support to police throughout NSW in their response to drug and firearm crime.
Financial Crimes Squad: Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett
The Financial Crimes Squad leads and drives the response to fraud, identity crime, motor vehicle theft/re-birthing and arson (structural fires and bushfires), and provide support, advice or assistance through specialist technical knowledge to police throughout the state.
The squad maintains strong strategic partnerships with the private sector and other Government Regulatory bodies to enhance capabilities and reduce risk of crime and corruption.
Homicide Squad: Detective Superintendent Scott Cook
The Homicide Squad conducts investigations into murder, suspicious deaths, specific critical incidents, and specific coronial investigations, including the investigation of multiple-fatalities (five or more deaths), throughout NSW.
In addition, the squad has an Unsolved Homicide Team to conduct investigations into historical/unsolved murders, suspicious deaths, and disappearances.
Organised Crime Squad: Detective Superintendent Tony Cooke
The Organised Crime Squad conducts investigations into high-level organised crime to disrupt their activities, including drug importation and money laundering; identify those engaged in it, and dismantle groups and networks impacting on NSW.
Much of the squad’s work is collaborative with Australian and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies to provide greater reach to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal networks.
In addition, the squad investigates organised criminal activity targeting or connected with casinos, racing industries, and sporting codes.
Robbery & Serious Crime Squad: Detective Superintendent Murray Chapman
The Robbery & Serious Crime Squad leads and drives the response to robbery, product contamination, extortion, kidnap for ransom, and other serious property crimes, including major breaking offences at commercial warehouses or distribution centres, and receivers of the stolen property.
The squad takes on the leadership of investigations into robberies with a propensity for violence at financial institutions, cash-in-transit, high-value retail and licensed premises; serial robbery offences, and violent robberies where a firearm is discharged, or a customer or employee is seriously injured or killed.
