The long and distinguished career of Professional Standards Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter APM, has officially come to an end today with a ceremony and march out at Sydney Olympic Park.
Today marks 42 years to the day since Assistant Commissioner Cotter commenced at the Goulburn Police Academy, and since then he has served his community with dedication through numerous roles in general duties, criminal investigations and specialist commands.
Assistant Commissioner Cotter joined the NSW Police Force in 1984, starting his career as a Probationary Constable at Campsie Police Station.
He spent the next seven years as a general duties police officer in the inner western suburbs, before diverting into criminal investigation work in 1991.
He then spent more than 20 years in major crime investigations, with a focus on armed robberies, homicide and violent crimes.
In 2005, Assistant Commissioner Cotter was promoted to Detective Superintendent and served as Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander for five years before becoming Homicide Squad Commander in 2010.
He was promoted to Assistant Commissioner in 2013, taking on the role of Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Commander, where he led the forensic science and covert electronic investigative response for five years.
In 2018 Assistant Commissioner Cotter was selected by the NSW Government to lead the NSW Crime Commission. Upon his return, he led the Police Transport and Public Safety Command before becoming Southern Region Commander in 2022.
In early 2024 he assumed command of Professional Standards Command.
The Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter leaves behind a special legacy.
“Peter Cotter is one of the NSW Police Force’s most experienced and respected officers and his departure will be deeply felt across the organisation and the wider community.”
“I want to acknowledge Peter’s wife Linda and their four children, whose support and sacrifice have been an important part of his remarkable career. Behind every police officer is a family who stands alongside them and we thank them for their contribution.”
“On behalf of the NSW Government, I thank Peter for more than four decades of service and wish him every happiness for the future. His legacy will live on through the many officers he has mentored and the positive impact he has had on policing across NSW.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has congratulated Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter on his more than four decades of dedicated service to the people of New South Wales.
“Peter has dedicated his professional life to serving the community of this state, and we thank him for his service and commitment,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
“He has had an extraordinary career with the NSW Police Force and has made a significant contribution across a range of policing commands and specialist areas.
“Peter and I were workmates in the early 2000s in the Homicide Squad. We worked on a number of cases, including a protracted murder at Chinderah.
“He has been a leader who has led by example, demonstrating exemplary professionalism, compassion and integrity.
“On behalf of the NSW Police Force, I congratulate Peter on an outstanding career and wish him and his family every success and happiness in retirement.”
Assistant Commissioner Cotter said while he was looking forward to the next phase of his life, he would miss policing every day.
“I have been lucky enough to have a wonderful and diverse career, but it was when I entered the world of armed hold up and serious crime investigations that I really found my purpose,” Assistant Commissioner Cotter said.
“I very quickly learnt my purpose was to protect the good guy from the bad guy and that’s driven me for the three decades since.”
“After 42 years of intense and high-octane work, I am looking forward to dialling it back, taking a breath, and finding out what’s next.”
Career highlights/notable achievements:
- Arrests of numerous offenders during his time at what was then the Armed Hold Up Unit (now Robbery and Serious Crime Squad) – for armed hold ups on banks, post offices, TABs and cash in transit vans.
- As Homicide Squad Commander, oversaw the resolution of the murder of Kiesha Abrahams and the Lin family murders.
- Completed the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Program incorporating study in the USA and performed a senior management role in the Australian contingent which travelled to Virginia Beach, USA to participate in the ANZCTC Capability Exercise First Landing focusing on the role of forensic examinations as an integral component in counter terrorism investigations.
- Oversaw the forensic science and ballistic response into the Lindt Café siege.
- Selected by the NSW Government to lead the NSW Crime Commission as Chief Executive and Commissioner, where over his two-year tenure he achieved record results in the quantum of asset confiscation, joint investigations with state and Commonwealth law enforcement partners and coercive hearings with criminal milieu.
- Assistant Commissioner Cotter has held the Victims of Crimecorporate spokesperson role for the NSW Police Force where he sat with numerous victim-focused government and private organisations endeavouring to assist all victims.
- Assistant Commissioner Cotter is a recipient of the Australian Police Medal and the Commissioner’s Commendation for Service.
- Assistant Commissioner Cotter holds an Associate Diploma in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Law degree with honours, as well as post graduate law qualifications. He has been admitted as a legal practitioner in NSW for over 20 years.
