John was a member of the South Australia Police (SAPOL) between 1975 and 2008. Between 1991 and 2002 he served in senior management roles at the rank of Inspector, and 2003 until 2008 at the rank of Superintendent. His service was hallmarked by leadership in a number of challenging continuous improvement and change management projects across different service areas. His ability to build strong relationships equipped him to deliver organisation and team member needs. John was responsible for all SAPOL’s supervisor to entry-level executive manager qualifying and leadership development for the last five years of his career as Officer in Charge of the Centre for Leader Development.
Areas of Specialisation
- Strategic Management and Leadership;
- Leadership and Management;
- Project Management;
- Risk Management;
- Continuous Improvement;
- Business Decision Making;
- Human Resource Management;
- Workplace Investigations;
- Conflict Resolution;
- Team Building;
- Government.
Business Background
Since 1989 John has had numerous research and development experiences focusing upon leadership, management and investigation leading to delivery and assessment of same in higher education and VET sectors. These have occurred at local, national and international settings and include project manager of a major national project toward ‘Australasian Policing as a Profession’ and development of the Bachelor of Management (Policing) implemented in 2009. Complementing this are his 17 years as a senior manager and leader making him a true ‘pracademic’.
Through his 33½ years SAPOL service John established himself as a highly regarded criminal investigator. This was recognised, in part, through repeated selection to represent the State’s critical public safety investigation needs at operative and senior management levels, including: Major Crime Squad (homicide); Anti-Corruption Branch; Internal Investigation Branch; and, Criminal Investigation Branch(es). He provided leadership and managed complex investigations into a diverse range of offending, including: homicide; child-abuse; arson; armed-robbery; rape; fraud; corruption; equal opportunity; workplace injury and Code of Conduct issues. In addition, he has overseen and reported on Commissioner Enquiries involving death and serious injury by police to others. His thoroughness and integrity have been tested in criminal courts in every mainland Australian state. His commitment to excellence along with his skills, knowledge and aptitude were rewarded throughout his career including: duxed SAPOL’s Detective Pre-entry and Detective Designation courses; and, leading the state-wide training of SAPOL’s criminal investigators.
Since 2006 John has operated a successful private consultancy and regularly provides business services to a range of private and public sector clients in areas of leadership, management and investigation. Current and recent engagements include: developing, delivering and assessing a range of management and leadership course activities in Master of Business Administration, Master of Management, and Master of Project Management studies; ongoing delivery of Government Investigation awards up to Diploma; a range of VET management and leadership award units up to Advanced Diploma; and, industry senior management coaching.
Between 2018-19 John was a Team Leader (Investigations) at SafeWork SA; four months of this service was as Manager (Investigations).
Qualifications
- Master of Public Policy and Administration (Charles Sturt University)
- Master of Education (University of Tasmania)
- Graduate Diploma of Executive Leadership (NSW Higher Education)
- Advanced Diploma of Business Management
- Advanced Diploma / Diploma of Government
- Advanced Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection)
- Advanced Diploma / Diploma of and Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
- Advanced Diploma of Management (Human Resources)
- Advanced Diploma / Diploma of Program (Project) Management
- Advanced Diploma / Diploma of Work Health and Safety
- Diploma of and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
- Diploma of Government (Investigation)
- Certificate IV in Government (Investigation) and (Statutory Compliance).
Accreditations
- Chartered Manager (appointed Assessor)
- Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (Australia and New Zealand)
- Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Policing
- DiSC Personality Profiling
- Genos EI Model of Emotional Intelligence
Testimonials
John was engaged as an education consultant … by my organisation for a professional Diploma level qualification. John instructed over 60 staff at various times and locations around Australia and at all times was highly professional, diligent and above all, demonstrated his very deep understanding and experience … as an education professional, John was always immaculately presented, knew the course plan by rote, and was able to provide answers to often very technical and difficult questions. I have no hesitation in recommending John to any future prospective employer or client.
Matthew Nutt
Assistant Director (ACT), Regulatory Services NSW/ACT, Regulatory Operations Group at Comcare
John is committed to lifelong learning and while his educational qualifications provide depth to his consulting and teaching, he also brings a practical approach to his work drawing on considerable experience as a senior manager and executive. John is also proactive in encouraging others to strive to achieve their life and career goals. I am happy to recommend John as I know he will deliver quality outcomes with a high level of service.
Dr Lindsay Ryan
Workforce Learning Strategist
In the thirty years I have known John, his professionalism and commitment to work has been extraordinary. He is a well accomplished manager, leader and trainer that I would highly recommend. I have sought his counsel many times in the past and I am sure I will again in the future.
Ian Hulmes
Operations Manager at Workforce Hire Pty Ltd
I worked with John when he was an Inspector at the SA Police Expiation Notice Branch. Together we reengineered the department to achieve 400% productivity improvement. This was made possible by John's exceptional ability to quickly grasp new ideas, his courage to implement new techniques, his sense of humour to make the project fun for all, his generosity to share the limelight with his fellow workers, his kindness and sincerity. I later worked with John teaching the Inspector Qualification course at the SA Police Academy.
John is one of this world's true gentlemen. He is one of the kindest and most intelligent men I have ever met. I am honoured to now count him as a good friend.
Dr Stephen Whittle
Program/project Management Consultant, Special Justice
