Ken Lay (police officer)
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Douglas "Ken" Lay, APM
(born 17 February 1956 in Korumburra, Victoria
) is an Australian police officer, and the current Chief Commissioner
of Victoria Police
.
Lay was raised in the town of Korumburra
in Victoria's South Gippsland
region. He joined Victoria Police
in 1974, serving in Melbourne at Prahran before being stationed in regional Victoria including as an Inspector in his home town.
In 2003, Lay was appointed chief of staff to Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon
, then promoted to Assistant Commissioner for North-West Victoria in 2005, Assistant Commissioner (Traffic and Transit Safety) in 2008. In 2009, he became Deputy Commissioner (Road Policing)—Victoria's top "traffic cop".
In October 2009, Lay was photographed by a speed camera driving 10 km/h over the speed limit through the town of Tooborac
. He kept the speeding offence under wraps due to concern about undermining a Christmas road toll campaign, but admitted his error to Chief Commissioner Simon Overland
. Lay announced the speeding offence publicly in January 2010.
When Overland resigned as Chief Commissioner in June 2011, Lay was made Acting Chief Commissioner. On 14 November 2011, Premier Ted Baillieu
and Police Minister Peter Ryan
announced that Lay had been formally appointed as Victoria Police's Chief Commissioner.
for 25 years long service in December 1990, with the first clasp in 1999. He was awarded the Australian Police Medal
(APM) in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Australian Police Medal
The Australian Police Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.The APM was introduced in 1986, and replaced the Imperial Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry and Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service....
(born 17 February 1956 in Korumburra, Victoria
Korumburra, Victoria
Korumburra is a town in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located on the South Gippsland Highway, kilometres south-east of Melbourne, in the South Gippsland Shire local government area....
) is an Australian police officer, and the current Chief Commissioner
Chief Commissioner
A Chief Commissioner is a commissioner of a high rank, usually in chief of several Commissioners or similarly styled officers.-Colonial:In British India the gubernatorial style was Chief Commissioner in various provinces , the style being applied especially where an elected assembly did not exist,...
of Victoria Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
.
Lay was raised in the town of Korumburra
Korumburra, Victoria
Korumburra is a town in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located on the South Gippsland Highway, kilometres south-east of Melbourne, in the South Gippsland Shire local government area....
in Victoria's South Gippsland
South Gippsland
South Gippsland, a region of Gippsland in Victoria, Australia, is a well-watered region consisting of low, rolling hills descending to the coast in the south and the Latrobe Valley in the north. Low granite hills continue into Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of Victoria and mainland...
region. He joined Victoria Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
in 1974, serving in Melbourne at Prahran before being stationed in regional Victoria including as an Inspector in his home town.
In 2003, Lay was appointed chief of staff to Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon
Christine Nixon
Christine Nixon APM was the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police between 23 April 2001 and 27 February 2009. After leaving Victoria Police, she was appointed chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority in February 2009 until she stood down from the position in July...
, then promoted to Assistant Commissioner for North-West Victoria in 2005, Assistant Commissioner (Traffic and Transit Safety) in 2008. In 2009, he became Deputy Commissioner (Road Policing)—Victoria's top "traffic cop".
In October 2009, Lay was photographed by a speed camera driving 10 km/h over the speed limit through the town of Tooborac
Tooborac, Victoria
Tooborac is a town in Victoria, Australia. The town is located north of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Tooborac and the surrounding area had a population of 277.Tooborac Post Office opened on 1 January 1872....
. He kept the speeding offence under wraps due to concern about undermining a Christmas road toll campaign, but admitted his error to Chief Commissioner Simon Overland
Simon Overland
Simon Overland APM is the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in Australia. He previously worked with the Australian Federal Police, and then with Victoria Police, focusing on Melbourne's gangland wars. On 2 March 2009 he was named by Premier John Brumby as Victoria Police Chief...
. Lay announced the speeding offence publicly in January 2010.
When Overland resigned as Chief Commissioner in June 2011, Lay was made Acting Chief Commissioner. On 14 November 2011, Premier Ted Baillieu
Ted Baillieu
Edward Norman "Ted" Baillieu MLA is an Australian politician. He is currently the Premier of Victoria and the member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Hawthorn...
and Police Minister Peter Ryan
Peter Ryan (politician)
Peter Julian Ryan is an Australian politician and leader of the National Party in Victoria. He has represented the electoral district of Gippsland South since 1992, and has been the Deputy Premier of Victoria, Minister for Police as well as the Minister for Rural and Regional Development since 2...
announced that Lay had been formally appointed as Victoria Police's Chief Commissioner.
Awards and honours
Lay was awarded the National MedalNational 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...
for 25 years long service in December 1990, with the first clasp in 1999. He was awarded the Australian Police Medal
Australian Police Medal
The Australian Police Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.The APM was introduced in 1986, and replaced the Imperial Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry and Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service....
(APM) in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours.