Andrew Colvin

For the American lawyer and politician from New York, see Andrew J. Colvin.

Andrew Colvin AO APM is an Australian police officer who was the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police from September 2014^[1] to September 2019.^[2] On 5 January 2020, Colvin was appointed to lead the newly established National Bushfire Recovery Agency.^[3][4] In June 2024, Colvin was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Red Cross, an organisation with a rich history of making a positive impact on people’s lives.^[5]

Andrew Colvin AO APM
Andrew Colvin in October 2014
Alma mater	John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Notable work	2002 Bali bombings Australian Embassy bombings in Jakarta
Police career
Commissioner	Australian Federal Police
Service years	1990–2019
Other work	National Bushfire Recovery Agency

Early life and education

Between July 2009 and May 2010 he studied for and received a master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.^[6][7]

Career

Colvin joined the Australian Federal Police in 1990 and has worked in policing narcotics, money laundering, politically motivated crime, illegal pornography and terrorism financing.^[8] He oversaw Australia's policing response to the 2002 Bali bombings, for which he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), upgraded to the AO in 2022^[6] in 2003,^[1] and the Australian Embassy bombings in Jakarta.^[8]

In 2008 Colvin was awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM).^[6][7]

He replaced Commissioner Tony Negus as head of the AFP in September 2014^[9][10] and chose not to seek a contract extension and stepped down from the role in September 2019.^[2]

Career chronology

• 1990: Joined Australian Federal Police^[6][7]
• 2002: Superintendent, National Coordinator Counter Terrorism^[6][7]
• 2003: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)^[1]
• 2005: Chief of Staff^[6][7]
• 2006: Assistant Commissioner^[6][7]
• 2007: Street Review^[6][7]
• 2008: National Manager High Tech Crime Operations^[6][7]
• 2008: Australian Police Medal (APM)^[6][7]
• 2010: Masters in Public Administration^[6][7]
• 2010: Deputy Commissioner Operations^[6][7]
• 2014: Appointed Commissioner^[9]
• 2019: Stepped down as Commissioner^[2]
• 2022: Promoted to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2022 Australia Day Honours for "distinguished service to law enforcement, to counter terrorism initiatives, and to bushfire recovery programs".^[11]

Personal life

Andrew Colvin is married with two children.^[6][7][8]