Neil Gaughan’s career with the AFP spans over 30 years. On 18 May 2020, Neil was appointed the Chief Police Officer for ACT Policing. In this role, Neil focuses on reducing recidivism in the ACT, reducing road trauma, and improving mental health support for ACT Police.
Previously, Neil was promoted to Deputy Commissioner to lead the AFP’s response to disrupting serious and organised criminal networks, combating economic and serious crimes, countering cybercrime, leading national responses to human exploitation, and managing the AFP’s international engagement. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Neil led the Organised Crime portfolio of the AFP, and the Counter Terrorism (CT) portfolio of the AFP as Assistant Commissioner. For the first 15 years of his policing career, Neil worked in a variety of roles within ACT Policing including, General Duties, Diplomatic Protection Unit, Accident Investigation Squad, Criminal Investigations Branch, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team and Professional Standards.