Donna Adams has been appointed Tasmania’s first female Commissioner of Police in the police department’s 125-year history.
With a 35-year career, Adams has risen through the ranks of an exceedingly male-dominated field to smash the glass ceiling for women and reach the milestone.
“This is an extremely proud moment for me, and I’m really looking forward to making positive change,” says Adams.
Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockcliff says Adams’ new appointment is an “exceptional achievement and very well deserved.”
“Following an extensive recruitment process that sought applicants nationally and internationally, Donna’s selection is testament to her highly credentialed career with Tasmania Police,” says Rockcliff
Adams first joined the Tasmania Police straight out of school at age 19 and says the position of Commissioner was not something she had thought she’d be awarded back in 1987. She has spoken previously about being outnumbered by men when first starting out in the force.
Having worked in uniform, criminal investigations and training, Adams was promoted in 1998 to the rank of Sergeant and moved up to Inspector in 2004. She then became the first woman Commander in 2009 and after two years, was appointed to the role of Assistant Commissioner. Now, she is Commissioner and the highest ranked woman in the history of Tasmanian Police.
Adams’ leadership throughout her career has also brought on numerous awards, including a Commissioner’s Commendation for her work after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, an Australian Police Medal for Distinguished Service and a Tasmanian Police Service Medal for diligent and ethical service and, in 2019, was inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll.
Additionally, she was named the 2014 Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year and was recognised by the Australasian Council of Women in Policing as an outstanding investigator.
“Donna also has a Masters of Policing and is extremely well placed to provide exemplary leadership and dedication in delivering high quality policing and emergency services to the people of Tasmania,” says Rockcliff.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, says the role of Police Commissioner is a vital leadership role for Tasmania and that it provides the highest quality policing and emergency management services for the people of the state.
“Whilst I am new to the Ministry, I am aware of Donna’s exceptional work in policing, including particularly the last two years where she has provided key leadership to keep Tasmanian’s safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Ellis.
“More recently, I have experienced firsthand her in-depth knowledge, professionalism and ability to provide critical advice.”
Adams has said she will focus on “back-to-basics policing” in the wake of the pandemic and that “prevention and disruption” will be a key issue.
“Now’s the time to re-focus on high visibility policing, and ensuring we have a strong focus on policing local issues in local communities,” she says.
Adams will replace Commissioner Darren Hine AO APM who has served more than 14 years as the Commissioner for Police and Secretary of the Department.
Following his retirement, she will start on October 11 as the 15th Commissioner.