Krissy Barrett

Krissy Barrett
9th Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
Assumed office
4 October 2025
Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese
MinisterTony Burke
Preceded byReece Kershaw
Personal details
BornKrissy Lee Barrett
EducationOberon High School[1]

Krissy Barrett, APM, is the ninth Australian Federal Police commissioner, and the first woman to lead Australia's federal police force.[2][3] She replaced Reece Kershaw as the Australian Federal Police Commissioner on 4 October 2025.[4][5]

Early life and career

Barrett began her career with the AFP as an administrative assistant, at the age of 21, within the Melbourne office of the AFP.[6] She has experience in transnational serious and organised crime, as well as community policing, operations, and first response counter terrorism.[7]

Barrett has had a 25-year career in law enforcement, including the investigation of the Bali bombings, and also she was involved in policing within the Solomon Islands.[6] Until 2025, Barrett was deputy commissioner with the AFP, and she also managed the portfolio of national security.[6] Her appointment as AFP commissioner will last five years.[8]

Honours and achievements

Australian Honours:

State Honours:

  • AFP Service Medal
  • AFP Operations Medal
  • ACT Emergency Medal
  • ACT Community Service Medal

References

  1. ^ Taylor, James (7 December 2022). "From Torquay to the AFP". Surf Coast Times. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  2. ^ Price, Kimberley (presenter) (4 August 2025). "Krissy Barrett to lead the Federal Police". ABC listen. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. ^ Curtis, Katina (4 August 2025). "Shock resignation paves way for first female AFP boss". The Nightly. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b Silva, Francisco (5 August 2025). "Krissy Barrett APM named first female AFP Commissioner". Law Society Journal. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. ^ Webber, Miriam (4 August 2025). "AFP Commissioner abruptly ends tenure making way for an historic appointment". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Meet the first woman to lead Australia's federal police". Michael West Media. AAP. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. ^ Carr, Cameron (4 August 2025). "Who is Krissy Barrett, Australia's first female federal police commissioner?". SBS News. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  8. ^ Grattan, Michelle (4 August 2025). "Krissy Barrett becomes first woman Australian Federal Police commissioner". The Conversation. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Assistant Commissioner Krissy Lee BARRETT". Australian Honours Search Facility. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  10. ^ National Emergency Medal regulations, The Australian Honours Secretariat – Governor General of Australia's site. Archived 30 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ National Emergency Medal regulations, The Australian Honours Secretariat – Governor General of Australia's site. Archived 30 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine