National Manager Human Resources
Assistant Commissioner Leanne Close, APM recently moved to the position of National Manager Human Resources for the Australian Federal Police. This role encompasses management of more than 500 personnel in a range of disciplines including Human Resources, Professional Standards, Learning and Development (including support to the Australian Institute of Police Management), Organisational Health, Well Being, Medical and Psychological Services.
Leanne joined the Australian Federal Police in 1986. She worked in various areas of the Sydney Office from 1986 to 1996 investigating a range of Commonwealth offences including major and general frauds and serious drug importations and attained her Detective Designation. Leanne also spent short periods attached to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Legal Services Branch and the Internal Investigations area. In 1996 she was promoted to Sergeant.
In 1997 Leanne transferred to the AFP College in Canberra and worked in a number of team leader and coordinator roles, culminating in her promotion in 2000 to Coordinator (Superintendent), Faculty of Federal Policing. In this position, Leanne was responsible for coordinating delivery and assessment processes for all training programs conducted by the AFP College.
Leanne then moved to ACT Policing from 2002 firstly as the Superintendent Operations Monitoring and Intelligence Support, then to the role of Superintendent, Territory Investigations Group. Leanne was promoted to the role of Commander in 2006 and held the position of Deputy Chief Police Officer Response in the ACT until February 2009, when she moved to the role of National Manager Protection and was promoted to her current rank in July 2009.
The role of National Manager Protection encompassed responsibility for 750 AFP officers providing protective security services through the provision of Close Personal Protection for Australian high office holders, internationally protected persons, the diplomatic community including visiting diplomats; Witness Protection; and Uniform Protection at designated Commonwealth establishments in Australia and overseas.
In 2005, Leanne was awarded the Australian Police Medal. Leanne was conferred with a Masters of Educational Leadership in 2001. She also has two Graduate Certificates in Professional Development Education and Applied Management, and a Certificate IV in Training: Workplace Trainer (Category 2).