Cecil Abbott

Cecil Roy "Cec" Abbott, AO, QPM (7 August 1924 – 12 March 2014) was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police in Australia from 30 December 1981 to 7 August 1984.[1]

Cecil Abbott AO, QPM
16th Commissioner of the New South Wales Police
In office 30 December 1981 – 7 August 1984
Preceded by	Jim Lees
Succeeded by	John Keith Avery
Personal details
Born	7 August 1924 Hurstville, New South Wales
Died	12 March 2014 (aged 89) Hurstville, New South Wales
Spouse(s)	Edna
Alma mater	Sydney Technical High School

Private life

Cecil Roy Abbot was born in Hurstville on 7 August 1924 and grew up in Hurstville.[2][3] He married Margaret Edna Robinson on 15 February 1947. They had one son, Paul, who also became a police officer.[4] Abbott died in St George Hospital in Kogarah on 12 March 2014.[5] His funeral was held in Penshurst, New South Wales. Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione attended and described Abbott as a "man of the utmost integrity".[3]

Police career

Abbott became a police cadet in 1941 and graduated to the New South Wales Police Force in 1945. By 1974 he was an inspector at Hurstville.[3][4] He climbed further through the ranks to be Commissioner of Police for the New South Wales Police and the most powerful police officer in the State of New South Wales.[5]

Honours

• On 31 December 1976, he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) "In recognition for services to the New South Wales Police".[6]
• On 11 June 1982 he was awarded the National Medal.[7]
• On 26 January 1985 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for "Public service particularly with the New South Wales Police Force".[2]

References

1. "New South Wales Commissioners of Police" (pdf). New South Wales Police. Retrieved 12 July 2010. 1.07 MB
2. "It's an Honour: AO". Government of Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
3. Mutton, Sheree (20 March 2014). "Popular police commissioner Cecil Abbott 'a man of integrity'". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Theleader.com.au. p. 5. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
4. Andrew Scipione (19 March 2014). "Latest Media Releases – NSW Police Online" (Press release). Police.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
5. Mutton, Sheree (18 March 2014). "Former commissioner 'Cec' Abbott's career saluted". Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
6. "It's an Honour: QPM". Government of Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
7. "It's an Honour: National Medal". Government of Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2008.