Deputy Commissioner Close Operations Support, Australian Federal Police

Mr Phelan was appointed to the Australian Federal Police in 1985. During his career Mr Phelan has worked in a variety of fields, including community policing and national operations.

In 1998 Mr Phelan accepted an appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the AFP Association for two years.

In 2000 he took up the position as the AFP’s Senior Liaison Officer in Manila. On his return in 2002 he was promoted to the Senior Executive Service in the AFP’s Brisbane Office.

In 2003, Mr Phelan was appointed as the Director for Outcome Service Delivery and in 2004 was appointed Director of the Australian High Tech Crime Centre.

Later that year, Mr Phelan was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner and undertook the role of National Manager Border and International Network.

In September 2007 Mr Phelan was appointed as the Chief Police Officer for the Australian Capital Territory. He was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2010, taking up the role of Deputy Commissioner Close Operations Support overseeing the portfolios of High Tech Crime, Forensics and Intelligence.

Mr Phelan has previously held positions on the Boards of the Australian Crime Commission, Crimtrac and the Australian and New Zealand Police Advisory Agency. Mr Phelan has also previously been a member of the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council.

Mr Phelan was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2008 and holds a Degree in Commerce, an Honours Degree in Law and a Masters in Business Administration from Melbourne Business School.