Meet the Executive
The AFP is headed up by an Executive Leadership Group, led by the Commissioner, a number of Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Operating Officer. Meet the individuals behind the titles below.
Commissioner Krissy Barrett
Krissy Barrett became the ninth Commissioner of the AFP and the first woman to lead Australia’s federal police force on 4 October 2025. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Krissy led the agency’s national security efforts as Deputy Commissioner National Security, responsible for monitoring threats to the Australian Government, critical infrastructure and terrorism, as well as the internal integrity and security of the AFP. She has also led the AFP’s counter terrorism and special investigations capability, responsible for developing strategies and leading operations to combat terrorism offences as well as special investigations to tackle foreign interference and espionage. Previously, Krissy spent time in Melbourne heading up Southern Command, delivering policing and specialist support for the Victorian and Tasmanian communities, and prior to that held a number of roles across the agency spanning multiple operational areas. She has over 20 years’ experience in the agency and has represented the AFP and Australia in international forums, including Five Eyes Law Enforcement working groups targeting organised crime threats across the globe.
Read Krissy’s first Senate Estimates Opening Statement as Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale
International & Specialist Capabilities
Lesa Gale was appointed to the role of Deputy Commissioner in March 2023 and has the responsibility for the International and Specialist Capabilities portfolio. The portfolio comprises four specialist Commands delivering the AFP’s advanced operational capabilities, including Intelligence, Covert Services and Forensics, and the AFP’s broad international remit. In this role, she leads the AFP’s international engagement aimed at combatting transnational crime, capability-building partnerships, and contributing to regional stability. Prior to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Lesa led the AFP’s Northern Command during which she also guided the agency’s efforts in our global, national and local response to human exploitation crimes through the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation. During her 35+ year career, Lesa has accumulated extensive experience across national investigations, community policing, victim-based crime, national security and protection operations. She has held senior leadership roles in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney, consistently delivering high‑impact operational and strategic outcomes.
Deputy Commissioner Gale is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Police Management’s flagship program, the Australia New Zealand Police Leadership Strategy, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management (2017). She received the Australian Police Medal (APM) in the 2019 Australia Day Honours, and throughout her career has been awarded five Commissioner Group Citations for Conspicuous Conduct and two Australia Day Medallions.
Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee
Chief Police Officer for the ACT
Scott Lee serves as a Deputy Commissioner and Chief Police Officer for the ACT. Scott brings extensive local, national and international policing experience across the AFP, with responsibility leading portfolios delivering outcomes across community policing, national security operations, major criminal investigations and intelligence operations.
Scott has held international positions on behalf of the AFP and worked closely with global partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt serious criminal activity. In 2002, he led the Australian contingent deployed to Indonesia following the Bali bombings, responsible for the joint investigation with the Indonesian National Police to bring those responsible to justice, oversight of the victim identification process and ensuring the dignified return of victims to their families, and the submission of the brief of evidence to the Indonesian courts. Scott also returned to Indonesia as part of the Australian response to the terrorist bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Before his appointment as Chief Police Officer in March 2024, Scott led several key AFP Commands, including international operations, counter terrorism and special investigations, specialist protection, and cybercrime. As the AFP’s Head of Counter Terrorism, he established the global Women in Counter Terrorism program and, for the first time, achieved gender balance in the leadership cohort of the AFP’s Counter Terrorism Command. As the Chief Police Officer, Scott is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of policing services to the Australian Capital Territory pursuant to the Ministerial Direction issued by the ACT Police Minister, the safety of the ACT community and the safety and wellbeing of ACT Policing members.
Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney
Crime
Ian McCartney is a career police officer and has been with the AFP since 1990. He was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2019, responsible for AFP investigations. Ian has also headed up the agency’s national security efforts, including counter terrorism, specialist protection and security. He currently holds the title of Deputy Commissioner Crime, responsible for organised crime, criminal assets and confiscation and cybercrime. Ian also spent a number of years offshore as the agency’s Senior Liaison Officer in China and was previously responsible for narcotic strike teams in Melbourne and managed the AFP’s Adelaide office.
In 2011 Ian led the establishment of the Commonwealth Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce which to date has achieved significant operational results. In 2014, Ian was awarded with the Australian Police Medal (APM) in recognition of his distinguished service, particularly in the areas of law enforcement liaison in Asia, and for his role in national investigations.
Deputy Commissioner Hilda Sirec
National Security
Hilda Sirec has spent almost 25 years at the AFP in various capacities and was promoted to the Deputy Commissioner National Security role in January 2026. Commencing in ACT Policing in 2001, Hilda has led the Joint Counter Terrorism Team in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory; deployed to Ukraine after the downing of MH17, deployed to Afghanistan to help train and build capacity within the Afghan National Police, and was posted to Islamabad, Pakistan. Hilda has led the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and most recently held the role of Assistant Commissioner Southern Command leading AFP operations across Victoria and Tasmania.
Deputy Commissioner Sirec was awarded the Australian Police Medal in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours List in recognition of meritorious service and commitment to the Australian community.
Deputy Commissioner Sirec is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management.
Katherine Van Gurp
Chief Operating Officer
Katherine Van Gurp has close to 30 years’ experience in law enforcement and justice and is the agency’s Chief Operating Officer. In this role she is responsible for our core strategic and financial mechanisms at the enterprise level. These include strategy and performance (including engagement with various levels of government), technology and data, finance, procurement, property, people, professional standards, learning and development, legal, media, communications and also has oversight for the Australian Institute of Police Management. Katherine was previously the CEO of the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency from 2017 - 2021. As CEO, she implemented a new strategic foresight role for policing, examining future trends and emerging issues for law enforcement, and identifying opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
Katherine was previously the Chief of Staff and Executive Director with NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services leading significant legislative and policy reform, government and stakeholder engagement. She has also held policy roles with the AFP, NSW Department of Juvenile Justice and NSW Attorney-General’s Department.
In 2023, Katherine was awarded the inaugural Margot McCarthy scholarship for excellence in senor public service and was awarded the Northern Territory Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year in 2013. Katherine received a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.