The Commissioner of Police, Darren Hine, is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Commanders to the ranks of Tasmania Police.

“Officers at the rank of Commander provide executive leadership and direction at both district and agency level, ensuring the delivery of quality policing and emergency management services to the community,” Commissioner Hine said.

“I congratulate Commanders Joanne Stolp, Robert Blackwood, Adrian Bodnar and Debbie Williams on their promotions.

“Between them, these officers bring a range of experiences and skills as Commanders within Tasmania Police, including leadership skills, strategic and tactical command, contemporary management practices and high level policy development and implementation.

“The calibre of the new Commanders demonstrates the high standard of professionalism, commitment to ongoing learning and development and to the values of integrity, equity and accountability we uphold as members of Tasmania Police,” Commissioner Hine said.

The new Commanders will take up their positions effective immediately:

• Commander Joanne Stolp – Special Response and Counter-Terrorism Unit
  Commander Stolp was appointed Inspector in 2015 and has most recently served as Officer in Charge of Hobart Division, and prior to that, with People Support.  She has a Bachelor of Policing (Investigations), a Graduate Certificate in Police Studies and Professional Honours – Social Science.  Commander Stolp is also Coordinator of the Tasmania Police Negotiation Unit.
• Commander Robert Blackwood – Education and Training
  Commander Blackwood has most recently been the Inspector with the Tasmania Police Business Improvement Unit – Strategic Projects, since 2015.  He has a Bachelor of Social Science Police Studies and Graduate Certificates in Applied Management and Police Studies.  Commander Blackwood is the LGBTI Liaison Manager for DPFEM with a commitment to diversity within Tasmanian Police.
• Commander Adrian Bodnar – Operations Support
  Commander Bodnar has most recently served as Detective Inspector with Hobart CIB, with responsibility for the Kingston Criminal Investigation Branch and Southern Family Violence Unit.  He has held a number of community liaison roles relating to alcohol, community safety, major events and suicide prevention.  Commander Bodnar has a Graduate Certificate of Police Studies and a Bachelor of Arts with Professional Honours.
• Commander Debbie Williams – Western District
  Commander Williams has been an Inspector with Burnie Division since 2016.  She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Public Administration) with Professional Honours in Public Sector Leadership and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Police Studies.  Commander Williams is an Equity and Diversity Contact Officer and jurisdictional representative for the Journal for Women and Policing.