Chief Police Officer

Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan’s career with the AFP spans over 30 years with extensive operational experience in general policing and investigative roles in both the ACT Region and AFP National Operations.  

On 18 May 2020, Neil was appointed the Chief Police Officer for the ACT.  In this role, Neil will focus on reducing road trauma and recidivism in the ACT and improving mental health support for ACT police. 

In 2018, Neil was promoted to Deputy Commissioner to lead the AFP’s response to disrupting serious and organised criminal networks, combating economic and serious crimes, countering cybercrime, leading national responses to human exploitation, and managing the AFP’s international engagement. 

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Neil was the Assistant Commissioner for the Organised Crime portfolio of the AFP.  Neil championed new approaches to disrupting, dismantling and combatting serious and organised crime with a focus on strengthening partnerships across government and industry. 

From 2013 to 2017, Neil was the Assistant Commissioner for the Counter Terrorism (CT) portfolio of the AFP.  During a period of unprecedented levels of CT activity in Australia’s history, Neil was involved in the development of contemporary Australian CT policy, contributed to national countering violent extremism strategies, championed significant legislative reform and worked collaboratively with regional partners to combat terrorism regionally and globally.  

For the first 15 years of his policing career, Neil worked in a variety of roles within ACT Policing including, General Duties, Diplomatic Protection Unit, Accident Investigation Squad, Criminal Investigations Branch, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team and Professional Standards.