Chris Dawson AC APM joined the Western Australia Police Force as a cadet in February 1976, going on to provide over 38 years of continuous service in country and metropolitan positions across a range of portfolios. Appointed to the rank of superintendent in 1999, he became the inaugural principal of the WA Police Force Academy in Joondalup.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2002 saw him awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service.
After long stints acting as assistant commissioner, he was appointed deputy commissioner in July 2004, with a brief to lead an agency reform program resulting from outcomes from the Kennedy Royal Commission. From May 2008, Mr Dawson had overall management of all operational policing within metropolitan and regional areas including the specialist portfolios of serious and organised crime, counter terrorism and state protection. In 2011, Mr Dawson headed up the biggest security operation in the history of the WA Police Force, as State Commander for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He was responsible for the security of all attending Heads of State from 53 Commonwealth countries and their respective senior ministers and delegates.
After 10 years as deputy commissioner, Mr Dawson left the WA Police Force in April 2014 to take up the role as chief executive of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, formerly the Australian Crime Commission. He has also served as director of the Australian Institute of Criminology. This experience was a key factor in his return to the WA Police Force in August 2017 when he was appointed Commissioner. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Dawson also took on the roles of State Emergency Coordinator and Vaccine Commander. As Vaccine Commander, he was tasked with leading the COVID-19 vaccine program for Western Australia from August 2020 to December 2021.
Mr Dawson left the WA Police Force in May 2022 to become the 34th governor of Western Australia.
In 2023, he was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through law enforcement roles, to reconciliation, and as the 34th Governor appointed in Western Australia.
