Mick Fuller

Background and Education

Michael (Mick) John Fuller completed a Diploma of Applied Policing at Charles Sturt University and a Diploma in Business Management at TAFE NSW.[1] He got a Graduate Certificate in Change Management from South Western Sydney Institute.[1] He received a Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership from Australian Institute of Police Management.[1] He attended NSW Police Detective Designated Course and Emergency Management Arrangements.[1] He has taken up management responsibilities at the State Emergency Operation Controller.[1]

Career in NSW Police Force

At the age of 19 years old, Mick Fuller began his career at Kogarah Police Force in 1987 as a junior officer, where he performed general and investigative duties.[1][2] He joined the City of Sydney Investigations in 1992, where he later became a designated Detective in 1993.[1] He later joined the Crime Task Force in 1994 where he took up criminal investigative roles.[1] Fuller became Detective Sergeant in 2000 and led the drug squad at Kings Cross Police Station.[1][2] In 2002, He became the Inspector Duty officer for the Eastern Beaches and later joined the Ashfield Target Action Group in 2003.[1][2] Fuller was promoted to Superintendent Operations Manager a year later for the Greater Metropolitan Region in 2004.[1][2] In 2007, he became the Deputy Commissioner in charge of staff and field operations.[1] Fuller was promoted as a Local Area Commander for the Eastern Suburbs in 2008 and for the City Central area in 2009.[1] In 2010, he became the Assistant Commissioner and Commander of the Southern Region.[1][3] Then, he was appointed Commander in charge of Professional Standards in 2013.[1] While being the Assistant Commissioner in 2014, Fuller was also the Commander of the Central Metropolitan Region where he was part of the response team at the Lindt Café siege.[1][4] He later was selected as the NSW Police Commissioner in 2017.[1]

He is known for his solid operational background and his many years of experience working in management and executive roles that oversees over 16,000 officers within the NSW police force.[1][3] His colleagues spoke highly of his best interest of the force and the community.[2] Fuller has been the spokesman for Alcohol related crime as well as an advocate against family and domestic violence.[1][2][3] He has developed strategies to target crime offenders and reduce rates of violence in the community.[3] He is also the face of the Police Force at several events in the past including the Bushfire Crisis, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, World Youth Day, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the annual New Year’s Eve and Operation Hammerhead.[2][3]

Role as NSW Police Commissioner

After 29 years of service and at the age of 49, despite being younger amongst the candidates nominated to be the Commissioner, the NSW Government appointed Mick Fuller as the new NSW Police Commissioner on the 30th March 2017 succeeding Andrew Scipione  who served 10 years in the top job in the NSW Police Force.[1][2][3] The top candidates that were considered in the nomination for Commissioner include NSW Deputy Commissioner (at the time) Catherine Burn, former NSW Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas, Assistant Commissioner Jeff Loy and Australian Border Force Chief Roman Quaedvlieg.[3]

The NSW State Government has considered this shift in leadership as a good opportunity to introduce generational changes to the NSW police force.[1][2] Fuller’s appointment to his new role was supported by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Police Minister Troy Grant.[3] Mr. Fuller addressed some significant changes he plans to implement in the Police force moving forward.[3][4] The reformation would include the remodelling and restructuring of the police workforce throughout the entire state and shifting their focus to the community.[3] Despite his lack of time in the counter terrorism, he emphasised on disruption and prevention of organised crime and terrorism.[2][3]

Role as State Emergency Operation Controller

Coronavirus Pandemic

As of April 2020, when NSW enters state of emergency lockdown due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Commissioner Mick Fuller was appointed the State Emergency Operations Controller and was put in charge of enforcing new COVID-19 restrictions for residents of NSW.[4][5] These restrictions include the number of people allowed to gather in the same space (indoors and outdoors) applied to homes, offices, public transport, weddings, funerals, restaurants, cinemas and other venues.[4][5] NSW Police was authorised by the state government to implement bans on anyone breaching COVID-19 restriction rules.[4] The team at the Emergency Operation Controller (located at the Rural Fire Services headquarters) consisted of experts from various fields including police, border force, defence force, education, transport and health personnel, who collaborated to provide NSW residents with the most updated information and develop strategies to deal with challenges that comes with the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5][6]

Commissioner Fuller’s responsibility was to keeping NSW residents and communities safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5][6] There was an increase in the number of Police officers despatched across the state to ensure residents comply to the new rules and regulations.[5] Fuller highlighted the importance of effective emergency management strategies and support from the police and military force in guiding NSW residents through this unpredictable time.[4][5] Commissioner Fuller was also in charge of overseeing the compulsory Hotel Quarantine Operations for all returning Australian citizens and permanent residents into NSW.[4][5] He was subsequently responsible for managing and coordinating with The Ruby Princess and he oversaw an investigation into the docking and disembarking of that cruise ship which may have led to the spread of the COVID-19 cases in NSW.[4][6][7]  

In May 2020, the Remuneration Tribunal made the decision to approve a pay rise of close to $87,000 for Commissioner Fuller to reflect his added roles and responsibilities, which was supported by the NSW Premier GladysBerejiklian.[8] Although this took Mr. Fuller’s annual package to an estimated $649,500, the Premier defended the decision as other senior officers including the Australian Police Force Commissioner, Australian Border Force Commissioner and the Queensland Police Commissioner earned more than Commissioner Fuller.[8]

Black Lives Matter protest

In July 2020, he was involved in the plan to stop the Black Lives Matter protest from taking place the Sydney CBD with the concerns of another potential outbreak of Coid-19 in NSW.[9][10] Stacey Maloney who was the Acting Assistant commissioner in charge in the city was responsible for obtaining the relevant documents required to apply to the NSW supreme court regarding this matter.[11] Although the court order did not ban the rally that was supposed to take place on 28 July 2020, charges could be made to protesters who choose to attend for disruption of traffic and any violation of public health order, which were NSW authorities’ main concern.[10][11][12] Mr. Fuller expressed his concerns that protest attendees would not be able to keep a safe distance and there is a high risk of COVID-19 transmission during the protest as crowd gathers.[12][13] Commissioner Fuller insisted that the event gets postponed or rescheduled due to continuous presence of community transmitted cases of COVID-19 in NSW; however, event organisers disagreed and claimed that they have the rights to protest.[10] The Supreme Court Justice Mark Ierace later granted NSW Police approval to ban the protest due to increasing concerns over potential escalation of COVID-19 transmission that could reflect the outbreak situation in neighbouring state, Victoria.[10][12] In a media statement, NSW Police informed the public that the protest is officially unauthorised and recommended that people should reconsider their decision to participate.[10]

Personal life

Mick Fuller is married with 4 children.[1]

In September 2019, during a random breath test on the Prince’s Highway at Waterfall, Mr. Fuller’s biological son, Jacob Fuller, a P-plater was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, while his license was suspended.[14][15] Jacob admitted to a mistake in court and was later convicted and fined for the offence in November 2019.[15]

Honours and Achievements

In 2004, Fuller received a National Medal and the 1st clasp to the NSW Police Medal.[1] In January 2009, He was awarded the 2nd clasp to the NSW Police Medal and received the Australian Police Medal.[1][3] After another five years in the service, Fuller was awarded the 1st clasp to the National Medal as well as a National Police Service Medal in 2014.[1]

References
  1. "Commissioner - NSW Police Public Site". www.police.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. Benny-Morrison, Nick Ralston, Ava (30 March 2017). "From Kogarah's teenage cop to NSW Commissioner: the rise of Mick Fuller". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  3. "Michael John FULLER | Australian Police". Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  4. Cormack, Lucy (3 April 2020). "Mick Fuller, the man managing the movement of 7.5 million people for 90 days". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  5. Cormack, Lucy (31 March 2020). "Why the NSW Police Commissioner is talking tough". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  6. "'It was my idea': NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Ruby Princess investigation". ABC Radio National. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  7. Ward, Alexandra Smith, Mary (31 March 2020). "'NSW is not a safe haven for every cruise ship': Police Commissioner orders vessels to leave". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. "NSW Premier wrote letter justifying $90,000 pay rise for Police Commissioner". www.abc.net.au. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  9. McGowan, Michael (24 July 2020). "Outspoken NSW police chief Mick Fuller talks himself into another controversy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  10. "'We have to do this, we've got to see change': Activists appear set to defy court decision prohibiting Sydney Black Lives Matter protest". www.abc.net.au. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  11. Mitchell, Georgina (24 July 2020). "Fuller made Black Lives Matter court claim when decision was pending, court told". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  12. "Supreme court rules in favour of police, banning Sydney's Black Lives Matter protest". the Guardian. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  13. "The radio interview that could undo police plans to block a Black Lives Matter protest". www.abc.net.au. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  14. "NSW Police Commissioner's son pleads guilty to drink driving on suspended licence". www.abc.net.au. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  15. Scheikowski, Margaret (8 November 2019). "Son of NSW Police boss convicted of drink driving". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 3 November 2020.

[1] The NSW Police Force. (2017). Commissioner Michael Fuller APM. Retrieved from https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/commissioner

[2] Ralston N. & Benny-Morrison A. (2017, March 30). From Kogarah's teenage cop to NSW Commissioner: the rise of Mick Fuller. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/from-kogarahs-teenage-cop-to-nsw-commissioner-the-rise-of-mick-fuller-20170330-gvaanm.html

[3] Kidd J. & Daniel S. (2017, March 30). Mick Fuller confirmed as NSW Police Commissioner to replace Andrew Scipione in the top job. Australian Police. Retrieved from https://www.australianpolice.com.au/nsw-police-history-index/police-commissioners-of-nsw/michael-john-fuller/

[4] Cormack L. (2020a, April 3). Mick Fuller, the man managing the movement of 7.5 million people for 90 days. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/mick-fuller-the-man-managing-the-movement-of-7-5-million-people-for-90-days-20200402-p54gm2.html

[5] Cormack L. (2020b, April 1). NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller talking tough to 'get people to turn on'. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-police-commissioner-mick-fuller-talking-tough-to-get-people-to-turn-on-20200331-p54fl3.html

[6] Borschmann G. & Chalmers M. (2020, April 7). “It was my idea”: NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Ruby Princess investigation. ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/it-was-my-idea-nsw-police-commissioner-mick-fuller/12127848

[7] Smith A. & Ward M. (2020, March 31). ‘NSW is not a safe haven for every cruise ship’: Police commissioner orders vessels to leave. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/premier-urges-nsw-to-remain-vigilant-despite-declining-new-coronavirus-cases-20200331-p54fhh.html

[8] Raper A. (2020, May 29). Gladys Berejiklian justified $90,000 pay rise for Police Commissioner before announcing plan to freeze public sector wages. ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-29/nsw-premier-supported-pay-rise-for-police-commissioner/12302272

[9] McGowan M. (2020, July 25). Outspoken NSW police chief Mick Fuller talks himself into another controversy. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/25/outspoken-nsw-police-chief-mick-fuller-talks-himself-into-another-controversy

[10] Daniel S. (2020, July 26). Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney blocked after Supreme Court win for police. ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-26/black-lives-matter-protest-blocked-in-supreme-court/12489022

[11] Mitchell G. (2020, July 24). Fuller made Black Lives Matter court claim when decision was pending, court told. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fuller-made-black-lives-matter-court-claim-when-decision-was-pending-court-told-20200724-p55f4m.html

[12] Allam L. (2020, July 26). Supreme court rules in favour of police, banning Sydney’s Black Lives Matter protest. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/26/supreme-court-rules-in-favour-of-police-banning-sydneys-black-lives-matter-protest

[13] Reddie M. (2020, July 23). NSW Police boss accused of sidestepping legal process to block Black Lives Matter Protest. ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-23/nsw-police-mount-supreme-court-challenge-to-sydney-blm-protest/12483524

[14] Brown M. (2019, October 17). NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller’s son pleads guilty to drink driving on suspended license. ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-17/nsw-police-commissioner-son-pleads-guilty-drink-driving/11610666

[15] Scheikowski M. (2020, November 8). Police Commissioner Mick Fuller’s son convicted of drink driving at Waterfall. The Ledger. Retrieved from https://www.theleader.com.au/story/6481745/son-of-nsw-police-boss-convicted-of-drink-driving/

Police appointments
Preceded by
Andrew Scipione		 Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force
2017–		 Incumbent


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