Jim Lees
Encyclopedia
James Travers "Jim" Lees QPM
(1919 – 2004) was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police
from 1979 to 1981.
Jim Lees was born in 1919 at Hornsby
and went on to attend the Hurlstone Agricultural High School
. He had initially wanted to be a farmer
but found that he was not suited for a life on the land and was then accepted as a cadet in the New South Wales Police Force at the age of 17 in 1936. Within six months he was made a Constable
and began to rise through the ranks of the force.
Jim Lees married his wife Norma in October 1944. They went on to have a family with children Sue, John and Peter. Jim Lees also taught a Sunday School and was heavily involved with his church. He also established the Police Christian Fellowship.
In 1976 Jim Lees became Assistant Police Commissioner
and was appointed Commissioner in October 1979. As well as receiving 12 New South Wales Police commendations he also received the Queen's Police Medal
in 1976, the Queen's Jubilee Medal
in 1977, the National Medal
also in 1977 and the honour of receiving the Australian Father Of The Year award
in 1981.
Jim Lees died on 2 September 2004 at the age of 84. His funeral was attended by incumbent Police Commissioner Ken Moroney
as well as former Police Commissioners Cec Abbott, John Avery
and Tony Lauer
.
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
(1919 – 2004) was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police
New South Wales Police
The New South Wales Police Force is the primary law enforcement agency in the State of New South Wales, Australia. It is an agency of the Government of New South Wales within the New South Wales Ministry for Police...
from 1979 to 1981.
Jim Lees was born in 1919 at Hornsby
Hornsby, New South Wales
* Highest Maximum Temperature: 42 °C* Lowest Maximum Temperature: 4.9 °C* Warmest Month: January* Coolest Month: July* Highest Precipitation: February* Lowest Precipitation: July-Notable residents:...
and went on to attend the Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Hurlstone Agricultural High School is an agricultural and selective, co-educational, public high school, located in Glenfield, a south-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. He had initially wanted to be a farmer
Farmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
but found that he was not suited for a life on the land and was then accepted as a cadet in the New South Wales Police Force at the age of 17 in 1936. Within six months he was made a Constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
and began to rise through the ranks of the force.
Jim Lees married his wife Norma in October 1944. They went on to have a family with children Sue, John and Peter. Jim Lees also taught a Sunday School and was heavily involved with his church. He also established the Police Christian Fellowship.
In 1976 Jim Lees became Assistant Police Commissioner
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
and was appointed Commissioner in October 1979. As well as receiving 12 New South Wales Police commendations he also received the Queen's Police Medal
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
in 1976, the Queen's Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
in 1977, the National Medal
National Medal (Australia)
The National Medal is an Australian award given for long service by operational members of specified eligible organisations. It was introduced in 1975, as an original component of the new Australian honours system, and replaced a range of medals available to military and civilian uniformed...
also in 1977 and the honour of receiving the Australian Father Of The Year award
Australian Father Of The Year award
The Australian Father Of The Year award is an Australian award to honor and showcase a fine example of Australian fatherhood. Spanning over fifty years, the ‘Australian Father of the Year’ has been awarded to high-profile, famous fathers, from prime ministers & politicians to sportsmen and business...
in 1981.
Jim Lees died on 2 September 2004 at the age of 84. His funeral was attended by incumbent Police Commissioner Ken Moroney
Ken Moroney
Kennneth Edward Moroney AO APM was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Force in New South Wales, Australia from 2002 until 2007.- Personal life :...
as well as former Police Commissioners Cec Abbott, John Avery
John Avery (police commissioner)
John Keith Avery AO, APM was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police from 1984 to 1991.John Keith Avery was the 17th leader of the organisation and the 10th person known under the title of Commissioner of Police...
and Tony Lauer
Tony Lauer
Anthony Raymond 'Tony' Lauer, APM, JP was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police from 1991 until 1996.-Education:...
.