David established Risk-e Business Consultants, an Executive Level Management Consultancy, when he retired as Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Police Force after over 30 years of service. The NSW Police Force is Australia’s oldest and largest policing organisation and one of the biggest in the English-speaking world. As the Deputy Commissioner, David was responsible for the leadership and management of nearly 13,000 police and 1200 public servants, with responsibility and accountability of a budget of $3 billion.

David worked with all levels of Government (Federal and State) along with private organisations and volunteer groups. David has effectively worked with Senior Executives at The Federal Bureau of Investigations, The Vatican, The Olympics, Ministers of Parliament (Federal & State) and Boards of Companies/ Emergency Services. In 2009, David was selected as the only Australasian representative to attend the National Executive Institute conducted by the FBI with participants selected from around the world for their leadership abilities.

David was a skilled investigator and designated detective within the NSWPF. He has investigated general local crimes, through to car theft, malicious wounding, sexual assault and murder. He has prepared comprehensive briefs of evidence and given evidence in Local, District and Supreme Courts.

David was the Commander, Investigations Unit, Internal Witness Protection Unit, Admin Employees Conduct Unit and the Drug and Alcohol testing team for the NSW Police Professional Standards Command. He oversighted and reviewed several high profile and politically sensitive internal investigations; established relationships with the Police Integrity Commission (oversight body) and stakeholders in other jurisdictions of Law Enforcement. He had responsibility for oversight of investigations involving sworn officers and public servants, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, understanding the difference between sworn and unsworn staff. As a Deputy Commissioner, David retained the responsibilities for oversight of the Professional Standards Command ensuring the maintenance of high-quality investigations. 

Transitioning from Government to the Private sector, David has been a consultant to the NSW and ACT Governments on Investigations, Policy Development and Emergency Management. David has also worked with the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (investigations and policy advice); Ambulance NSW (Strategic reviews and leadership development); and the NSW Government (Investigations). 

David has undertaken investigations for the Commonwealth and State governments, immigration matters involving at risk youths, emergency management agencies and private businesses. All investigations are conducted to a high standard and in accordance with the appropriate legislative requirements. A number of these investigations have been used in the NSW Coroners Court, Industrial Relations Court and civil proceedings. David is recognised as a subject matter expert in the NSW Coroners Court and Supreme Court.

It is vital that in workplace allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation or serious misconduct that independent, swift and discrete investigations are undertaken promptly to establish the veracity of the complaint/s. David can provide advice and guidance on inhouse investigations to ensure that a thorough and timely investigation is undertaken, along with appropriate remedial measures (if required) are implemented.

David is able to provide the following services:

• Advice on your obligations & procedural fairness

• Independently review documentation from a completed or existing investigation, providing advice on additional/alternate strategies

• Conduct comprehensive investigations at Executive level in a timely manner

• Performance management and serious misconduct investigations

• Preparation of ‘Briefs of Evidence’ for submission to Law Enforcement Authorities for consideration of criminal charges or commencement of civil litigation/proceedings.

• Comprehensive review and uplift of existing investigative services within the business.

• Development of standard operating procedures and case management functionalities to support future investigations.

• Governance structure ensuring procedural fairness for investigations.

Since 2012, David has been the NSW Governments preferred investigator for the following areas:

• Customer Service NSW

• Cyber Security NSW

• NSW Telco Authority

• Service NSW

• NSW Rural Fire Service

• NSW State Emergency Service

The Star Casino (2022) engaged David to undertake a transformational uplift of all investigative services. This required a comprehensive understanding of investigative obligations to law enforcement and regulatory oversight bodies, IT solutions for case management, implementation of a governance structure for investigations management, integration of investigators into the business and the development of Investigative Standard Operating Procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

David holds two (2) Masters in Emergency Management (2013) and Leadership and Management (2011); Diploma in Criminology (1998); Graduate Certificate in Management (1999) and attended the National Executive Institute Session XXXIV, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 2009. Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (2015); Diploma of Security & Risk Management (2017); Master Licence (Security Industry Act) and Master Licence (Commercial Agents and Private Inquiry Agents Act). Mental Health First Aid Australia (2017 - current).

Lecturer, National Centre for Emergency Management Studies (2021 – 2022) Professor/Lecturer Rabdan Academy UAE Integrated Emergency Management (2021 – 2023).

AWARDS:

David has received the following awards: National Medal (1997 & 1st Clasp)), NSW Police Medal (1st, 2nd & 3rdClasp); Three Commissioner’s Unit Citations; Commissioner’s Olympic Commendation; Two Commissioners Commendations; Australian Police Medal (2007) and the NSW State Government Service Medal. 2012 Australian Business Awards for Project Management and Innovation. Resilient Australia Award Government Category – Activate Wollondilly project (2018).

2022 Risk Management Institute of Australasia Consultant of the Year.

AFFILIATIONS:

Member International Association of Emergency Managers; Risk Management Institute of Australia; ASIAL (Australian Security Industry Association Ltd); Member – The Academy of Investigation, Risk and Loss Adjustment Professionals (2022) and NSW Police Legacy – Backup for Life Program. Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service (Chair/Board Member 20122018) NSW Ambulance Board (2019 – current). Career Transition Program Work Safe Solutions (2019 – 2021) NSW Reconstruction Authority Advisory Board (2023 – current)

PUBLISHED:

•       Public Private Partnerships Exploring the opportunities (2014 – ASIAL Security Insider).

•       Independent Review of the NSW SES Operational Response Northern River Floods 2017.

•       Harnessing the power of social media in Emergency Management and Community Engagement (2013 Disaster Management conference paper);

•       Exercise Lumen Tenebris (Australian Police Journal Sept 2019);

•       NSW Bushfire Inquiry (August 2020)

•       Wingecarribee Shire Council Response to 2019/2020 Bushfires (August 2021)

Read Dave’s full bio here.