Jim Lees

Who was Jim Lees?

James Travers "Jim" Lees QPM 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.