Therese Walsh

Superintendant Tess Walsh of the Victoria Police, Gippsland region, has contributed significant benefits in the areas of emergency management, arson management and in the reduction of road trauma and family violence.

Her divisional leadership across several significant natural disasters in Victoria is described as exceptional. Since 2009, in her role as Inspector, Tess led the Kinglake emergency management response following the Black Saturday bushfires. More recently as a Superintendent, Tess led the Gippsland Arson Prevention Program. Today this model is accepted as a best practice model for Victorian police.

Tess has also led significant changes in relation to inter-agency cooperation around victims of family violence. Tess spearheaded the development of the innovative Latrobe Family Violence Unit (launched in March 2012) which co-houses police and the Department of Human Services, and established a Division-wide Family Violence Triaging Committee. These systems are also now considered best practice for the Victorian police.

In the area of road trauma, Tess initiated a road accident strategy within her division that saw a 24% drop in serious injury collisions in its first year.

Tess is known for her inclusive approach, favouring partnerships and engagement with communities on matters directly relevant to them, and working with the local media to promote safety and proactive policing messages.

Tess's voluntary contributions include a long-term commitment to Neighbourhood Watch where she became the elected National President of Australasian Neighbourhood Watch in 2007.