QCS appoints new Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations
QCS appoints new Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations
The Minister for Corrective Services, Mark Ryan today announced the appointment of Gary McCahon to the position of Deputy Commissioner Custodial Operations after an extensive national and international recruitment effort.
Mr McCahon, who comes to Queensland Corrective Services with 36 years’ experience in corrections in a number of Australian jurisdictions, will commence with QCS on 1 June.
Minister Ryan said that Mr McCahon brought extensive operational experience to the role.
“With a proven record as a senior leader in custodial operations, security and intelligence operations, community corrections, investigations, transport and escort services, special operations and emergency management, Mr McCahon is a welcome addition to the senior management team of QCS,” Minister Ryan said.
Commissioner of Queensland Corrective Services Peter Martin APM said Mr McCahon’s deep understanding and experience of custodial operations in particular made him an excellent fit for the role.
“Mr McMahon has managed correctional centres of all classifications including maximum security, remand, high, emergency response units, dog squad, women’s prisons, open custody and prison farms.
“His most recent positions included responsibility for up to 12 correctional centres of a range of classifications across NSW, as well as heading up the Corrective Services NSW Academy.
“Queensland Corrective Services is at a crucial time in its development as a stand alone top tier front line public safety agency, and Mr McCahon’s broad ranging operational experience will be a welcome addition to our senior leadership team.
“Custodial Operations is responsible for the management of more than 9000 of the most challenging and complex people in our society.
“In addition to his extensive operational experience, I was impressed by Mr McCahon’s track record in working collaboratively with stakeholders, both internal and external, to achieve significant outcomes in is his career.
“These skills will be vital as we deliver several significant bodies of work, including the transition of the two privately operated Queensland prisons to public operation, and develop and operationalise Southern Queensland Correctional Complex Stage 2, a 1004 bed therapeutic prison near Gatton by 2022.
“He has demonstrated visible, ethical leadership throughout his career, and I am confident these strengths will tide him in good stead at QCS as we implement the strategic roadmap of Corrections 2030, which will position us as a top tier front line public safety agency the equal of any in Australia or internationally.
“I look forward to welcoming Mr McCahon when he starts with us on 1 June, and working with him in his new role.
“One of his first tasks will be to implement the recommendations of the recently completed Officer Safety (Use of Force) review, which will position QCS as the best trained and equipped correctional jurisdiction in Australia, and the equal of any in the world.
“I would like to publicly thank Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter Shaddock, who has worked in the position since the departure of the previous Deputy Commissioner, Andy Beck, in January.
“Mr Shaddock has done a fine job of progressing the work of Custodial Operations while we filled the position permanently, and I would like to thank him for his ongoing support and commitment,” Commissioner Martin said.
