ACT to get new top cop, as Ray Johnson shifts to Emergency Services Agency

Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Neil Gaughan has been appointed as the ACT's new top cop.

Both will start in their new roles on May 18.

The moves, to be announced on Wednesday morning, represent a major shake up of the top ranks of emergency services in the territory.

Multiple sources have told The Canberra Times that Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw pushed for the change because he wanted a higher-ranking officer in charge of ACT Policing.

As deputy commissioner, Gaughan holds a higher rank than Johnson, who is an assistant commissioner.

Sources have said the appointment of a deputy commissioner will "elevate" the position of ACT chief police officer. The move would be well received in local police ranks for that reason, sources said.

Speaking on ABC radio on Wednesday morning, Mr Gentleman said the new role within the ACT Emergency Services Agency would lead to greater support.

"We recognised coming out of the last bushfire season the enormous amount of work for commissioner [Georgeina] Whelan, and Canberrans are well aware of the effort she put in," Mr Gentleman said.

"We didn't have a deputy commissioner in place to support that role should she need to step down for a period of time or move into another area for operational reasons."

Deputy commissioner Gaughan is perhaps best known publicly as the man congratulated by Home Affairs boss Mike Pezzullo for carrying out the raid on the home of journalist Annika Smethurst.

The High Court this month ruled the search warrant used to conduct the raid wasn't valid and should be quashed.

Chief officer Johnson, who has been the ACT's top cop since October 2018, has been appointed to the new position of Emergency Services Agency deputy commissioner, where he will serve under commissioner Georgeina Whelan.

Among his duties will be to lead the review of the summer's bushfire season, which will focus primarily on the agency's response to the Orroral Valley fire in Namadgi National Park.

Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman said the new role would also be responsible for ensuring that paid officers and volunteer firefighters were "properly equipped, trained and prepared for their work protecting the community".

The Canberra Times understands the ACT government was keen to provide extra support for commissioner Whelan, who was under constant pressure through the capital's horror summer of smoke, fire and hail.

Chief officer Johnson said the decision to leave the police force after 35 years to take up the new role was a "difficult and deeply personal decision".

"However, I am looking forward to bringing my experience in emergency management to the ESA whilst I also continue to learn from the great people in ESA," he said.

Deputy commissioner Gaughan, who spent 15 years in the local police force before he was moved to AFP national operations, said he was pleased to take on the position.

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"After spending half my AFP career with ACT Policing in general duties and investigative roles, I am focused on working with government and community partners to continue to address recidivist offending and the impact of road trauma," he said.

Commissioner Kershaw said deputy commissioner Gaughan had the right skills and experience to lead ACT Policing.

"The appointment of deputy commissioner Gaughan, one of our most senior and experienced officers, is recognition of the importance of the role of chief police officer to the ACT community," he said.

Australian Federal Police Association president Angela Smith said members had been frustrated with the "swinging door" of leadership within ACT police.

"We wish someone would sit there for some time and give it the attention it deserves," she said.

"Five years would be great, sadly people do go in and out of it and it has been happening for some time."

Ms Smith said she welcomed the appointment of Gaughan to the role.

"It's been a good strategic move on behalf of commissioner Kershaw, and it will make [the chief police officer] role taken much more seriously."