The NSW Police Force has farewelled Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell APM, who marked his final day of operational service today after 40 years of distinguished service.
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller, together with Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys and Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott, joined members of the Northern Region Command at Newcastle to celebrate the career of Assistant Commissioner Mitchell.
The day culminated in a ‘March Out’ of the Northern Region Command at Newcastle Beach, which included a guard of honour and a fly-over by the Aviation Support Branch before Assistant Commissioner Mitchell performed a final salute to Commissioner Fuller.
Growing up in Lake Macquarie, Assistant Commissioner Mitchell joined the force in 1981, spending the early part of his career in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area undertaking both general and investigative duties at a number of commands.
He was designated as a detective in 1989, before rising through the ranks and working at several commands including Raymond Terrace Patrol, Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command (LAC), Brisbane Water LAC, Performance, Improvement and Planning Command, and Newcastle City LAC.
In February 2011, Assistant Commissioner Mitchell led the NSW Police Force’s response to the Christchurch earthquake (Operation Monro) deploying to New Zealand leading a contingent of 130 police and emergency service personnel. He was then seconded to the Australia New Zealand Police Advisory Agency (ANZPAA).
Following this, he developed a proposal to establish a new command, the Police Transport Command (PTC), where he was promoted and commenced operations as the Commander in May 2012.
He returned to his home turf in Northern Region as the Commander in 2017, where he finishes his career after four decade’s service.
His service has not gone unrecognised; he has received a Commissioner’s Commendation in recognition of outstanding service. He has also been awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM), the National Police Service Medal, a Humanitarian Overseas Service award, and clasps to the NSW Police and National Service medals.
He was also instrumental in the creation of the Aged Crime Prevention Officer role within the NSW Police Force – a dedicated position which focuses on preventing, disrupting and responding to the exploitation, abuse, and neglect of vulnerable people in the ageing, disability and homelessness sectors.
For Assistant Commissioner Mitchell, his retirement means spending more time with family and friends, surfing the best breaks and travelling around Australia.
