Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty APM has marched out after over three decades of exceptional service at the NSW Police Force.
Officers gathered to farewell Detective Superintendent Doherty and celebrated her long career at a ceremony at the NSW Police Headquarters today (Thursday 26 February 2026).
Detective Superintendent Doherty joined the force in 1992, beginning her career at Campbeltown Police Station.
She rose to Detective Sergeant in 2004 at Liverpool Police Area Command before moving to State Crime Command in 2008.
In 2011, she became an Inspector with Professional Standards Command, later taking on the role of Crime Manager at Camden in 2014.
Detective Superintendent Doherty returned to State Crime Command in 2019 with the Drug & Firearms Squad and, in 2021, was appointed Commander of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Detective Superintendent Doherty's five and a half years leading the now Sex Crimes Squad have seen her drive major advances in the fight against child exploitation, including the expansion of the Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU), which has been instrumental in identifying offenders and protecting vulnerable children in Australia and abroad.
She has overseen significant breakthroughs in cold-case sexual assault investigations, with her team using emerging DNA technology to secure arrests and deliver long-awaited resolutions for survivors.
A defining achievement of her tenure is the Sexual Violence Project which launched in 2021 and led to the creation of the Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO).
Built on a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach, SARO has removed longstanding barriers to reporting sexual assault and has empowered more survivors to come forward.
The project also introduced enhanced training for police, ensuring officers are better equipped to support sexual assault survivors of all genders, sexualities, cultures and abilities.
Commissioner Mal Lanyon has thanked Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty for over three decades of service.
"Detective Superintendent Doherty has had an enormous impact on the NSW Police Force through her dedication and leadership," Commissioner Lanyon said.
"Her work and compassion in guiding and shaping the Sex Crimes Squad in dealing with some of the most challenging investigations police face, is a testament to her integrity and exceptional ability as a police officer.
"I thank Jayne for her unwavering service, and the high standard of excellence that she has set and I wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement."
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley has congratulated retiring Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty APM on an incredible 34 years in policing.
"Jayne's work has made a remarkable impact on the lives of our state's most vulnerable," Minister Catley said.
"As the Commander of the Sex Crimes Abuse Squad, she has given victims hope where there was none, support when they needed it most and justice to help bring closure. The power of this cannot be overstated.
"Over the past three and a half decades she's witnessed significant changes in crime and policing, but what hasn't changed is her determination to make our community a better place. I wish her every success in retirement."
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty says she is proud to have served for the police and been a pioneer for women in the force.
"I still remember on the 27th of January 1992 driving through the gates of the academy, the feeling of pride that I had and sense of achievement that I had been accepted into the NSW Police Force," Det Supt Doherty said.
"When I started there were maybe two females in plain clothes in the whole district and we got called to jobs all over the district. Now there are at least two or three females in each office.''
"I look forward to spending time with my mother, my children and my grandchildren as well as playing golf with my husband Danny."
