The state government has appointed Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent APM as the state’s new Emergency Management Commissioner.

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes congratulated Mr Nugent on his appointment, starting September 11, for a five-year term.

Mr Nugent succeeds Andrew Crisp AM APM, who has served as Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner since 2018 and will complete his term on August 4.

“I congratulate Mr Nugent on his appointment,” Ms Symes said.

“He brings decades of experience to a role that is of vital importance to the safety of Victorians and the on-the-ground leadership needed to work with communities affected by disaster.

“I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank Andrew Crisp for his commitment and dedication to the role over the last five years.”

In the interim, Deputy Emergency Management Commissioner Chris Stephenson will act as Emergency Management Commissioner.

Mr Nugent is a highly-skilled emergency management leader with a distinguished 35-year career with Victoria Police.

As Deputy Commissioner since November 2018, Mr Nugent has managed more than 12,000 police members across 330 police stations in Victoria, providing exceptional leadership in community safety.

Mr Nugent has led police operations as State Police Commander for some of Victoria’s major emergencies, including the 2022 October floods and the COVID pandemic response.

Mr Nugent also played key leadership roles in the operational response to the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires, sporting events and other critical incidents.

His recent accomplishments include delivery of the Victoria Police Youth Gang Strategy 2023-2026, development and implementation of the Victoria Police Drug Strategy 2020-2025, establishing Community Safety Forums throughout the state and driving a capability uplift in emergency and incident management across the police force.

Mr Nugent said it is a great honour and responsibility to take on the role of Commissioner.

“I look forward to working with the dedicated staff across the emergency management sector to keep the Victorian community safe before, during and after emergencies,” he said.