Bob Atkinson (police officer)

Robert Atkinson, AO, APM is an Australian police officer who served as the Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service from 2000 until his retirement in 2012. In 2013, Atkinson was appointed as one of the six Royal Commissioners to the Australian Government Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.[1]

Bob Atkinson
Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service
In office
November 2000 (2000-11) – October 2012 (2012-10)
Preceded byJim O'Sullivan
Succeeded byIan Stewart
Royal Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
In office
13 January 2013 – 15 December 2017
Serving with Peter McClellan, Jennifer Coate, Robert Fitzgerald, Helen Milroy, Andrew Murray
Nominated byJulia Gillard
Appointed byQuentin Bryce
Personal details
Alma materCharles Sturt University
ProfessionPolice officer

Career

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Atkinson was sworn in as constable on 30 October 1968 and there began a 44-year career with the Queensland Police Service, where he performed a wide range of operational and managerial roles. In his career with the Queensland Police Service, he served throughout Queensland from Goondiwindi to Cairns. He was a detective for approximately 20 years and acted as the police prosecutor in various Magistrates Courts during this period. Atkinson oversaw reforms after the Fitzgerald inquiry from 1990 and following the Public Sector Management Commission Review and Report Recommendations of the Queensland Police Service in 1993.[2]

In 1989 Atkinson attended the three-month FBI National Academy Course at Quantico, Virginia, in the United States. He again attended the FBI Academy during 2002 for the National Executive Institute Program. Atkinson graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Graduate Certificate in Police Management; he has also completed the Police Executive Leadership Programme at the Australian Institute of Police Management in addition to studies undertaken at the FBI National Academy. He has been conferred with an honorary doctorate by Griffith University.[2]

Honours and awards

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Honours and awards Date awarded Citation
  Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 26 January 2013 For distinguished service to policing and to the community of Queensland, through leadership in law enforcement, community and cultural engagement, improved service delivery and contributions to professional development.[3]
  Australian Police Medal (APM) 12 June 1995 [4]
  National Emergency Medal
  National Police Service Medal with clasp Qld 2010–11
  Centenary Medal 1 January 2001 For distinguished service to the public sector.[5]
  National Medal & 2 Bars 29 March 1985 National Medal[6]
2 December 1994 National Medal – 1st Bar[7]
2004 National Medal – 2nd Bar; totalling 35–44 years service
  Queensland Police Service Medal (with relevant years of service clasp)
  2010-2011 Queensland Flood and Cyclone Citation Queensland

Atkinson has also been awarded the Queensland Police Service Medal.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Letters Patent". Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Commonwealth of Australia. 11 January 2013. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Commissioner Bob Atkinson AO APM". Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Commonwealth of Australia. 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Search Australian Honours: ATKINSON, Robert: Officer of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 26 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Search Australian Honours: ATKINSON, Robert: Australian Police Medal". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 12 June 1995. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Search Australian Honours: ATKINSON, Robert: Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 January 2001. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Search Australian Honours: ATKINSON, Robert: National Medal". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 29 March 1985. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Search Australian Honours: ATKINSON, Robert: National Medal – 1st Clasp". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 2 December 1994. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
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Police appointments
Preceded by Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service
2000–2012
Succeeded by