where are they NOW?
Superintendent
Andrew Allen
IN CHARGE .01 Supt Allen is in charge of just under 300 Victoria Police personnel in the Ballarat and Moorabool PSA’s.
EDITORIAL Mandi Santic PHOTOGRAPHY Shane Bell
Graduating as Dux of his Cadet Squad in 1975 was an early indication that Ballarat Divisional Commander Superintendent Andrew Allen was going to lead a promising career in policing.
I
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS GONE ON TO HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE POLICING CAREER? Police Life wants to hear about them. Send suggestions to policelife-mgr@police.vic.gov.au via email.
www.police.vic.gov.au/policelife
n his 38 years with Victoria Police Superintendent Andrew Allen has worked in the Armed Robbery Squad, Community Policing Squad, Police Academy Sub Officers’ Course, Rape Squad, Child Exploitation Unit, Organised Crime Squad, Tactical Response Squad, Homicide Squad and the Purana Taskforce. Branded ‘the hottest job in policing’ at the time, Supt Allen took charge of the Purana Taskforce in 2003, investigating a number of underworld murders in Melbourne. This role was a challenging yet rewarding role for Supt Allen. “The ultimate reward was seeing that all the hard work, including intelligence gathering and pressure placed on the organisation, paid off in the end. The Purana Taskforce was able to take out major players and in turn, prevented murders,” Supt Allen said.
He then spent two years as chief of staff to former Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon. In this position Supt Allen regularly provided strategic and operational advice to Ms Nixon. “It was a significant role and gave me an extraordinary insight and exposure to the corporate side of Victoria Police as well as major political issues in providing advice as her chief of staff.” Over the years, Supt Allen has also been involved in managing investigations into a number of serial sexual predators – including the Armadale and Ascot Vale rapists. He is also a joint researcher with the Australian Childhood Foundation into child homicide and was recently recognised with the prestigious Australian Police Medal.
Since 2007, Supt Allen has been in the position of divisional superintendent in his home town of Ballarat. “I’m in charge of just under 300 sworn and unsworn personnel and oversee the Ballarat and Moorabool Police Service Areas. “I try to provide the best possible policing service across the division and evaluate the key drivers of crime – which is principally family violence, followed by property crimes.” Supt Allen advises junior members to recognise that they are part of a unique family – a significant organisation that the community holds with a great amount of respect.
POLICELIFE SUMMER 2014
29