News

MEDIA RELEASE - David Elliott - Minister for Police and Emergency Services

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott has announced Carlene York as the new State Emergency Services (SES) Commissioner, following an extensive search for the best candidate.

Ms York has a decorated policing career that includes coordinating responses to storms, tornadoes and bushfires as well as heading the Strike Force which captured Australia’s most wanted offender, Malcolm Naden.

“The new SES Commissioner, Carlene York, has outstanding credentials to lead more than 9,000 dedicated SES volunteers that communities rely upon when natural disasters strike,” Mr Elliott said.

“She has led large emergency response operations so she understands the pressures volunteers face during a crisis.”

One of the many senior positions Ms York held in the NSW Police Force was Commander of Human Resources managing 250 staff and overseeing a police force of 20,700 employees. Between 1993 and 2017, Ms York held a variety of other senior roles in the NSW Police Force including Commander of the Criminal Identification Specialist Branch, Commander of the Northern Region and Director of the Forensic Services Group.

Ms York said,“I know from experience how wonderful the SES volunteers are and how their commitment and bravery can save lives, keep property safe and help communities get back on their feet”. Mr Elliott thanked the Acting Commissioner of the SES Kyle Stewart for providing strong leadership and direction during the process of recruiting a new Commissioner.

“I am pleased we will continue to benefit from Mr Stewart’s skills and experience as he returns to his role as an Assistant Commissioner of Police,” Mr Elliott said.

Mr Stewart will remain in the acting role until Ms York starts in the position next month.