Mark Shelton,Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
The ability to investigate crime in Tasmania will be enhanced following the establishment of a new State Crime and Intelligence Command as part of the Government's commitment to keeping Tasmanians safe.
The Command will focus on cybercrime, online fraud, organised crime, firearm trafficking, serious drug distribution, online child exploitation and serious financial crime.
It follows a recent Capability Review undertaken by Tasmania Police to identify future capabilities and look at Next Generation Policing in order to protect Tasmanians.
Crime is changing and we need to make sure we are in the best possible position to keep Tasmania safe, which is why three targeted crime divisions have been created; State Intelligence Service, E-Crime Investigation Services and Serious Crime Support.
Six additional officers have now been allocated to the new Command, as part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government's election commitment to increase police number by a further 125 by 2022, taking the new Command to a total of 62 police officers.
A key focus of the new Command is delivery of the Government's "War on Ice" commitment with three police officers allocated to support combating the supply and distribution of drugs online.
Commander Ian Whish-Wilson will head up the new Crime and Intelligence Command, bringing more than 30 years' policing experience to the role including work in Criminal Investigation Branches in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
I would like to congratulate Tasmania Police on the establishment of this new Command that will greatly enhance the coordination of specialist resources in Tasmania to investigate crime and keep Tasmanians safe.
