• New Corrective Services Commissioner appointed to the Department of Justice
• Additional Deputy Commissioner role established to focus on youth detention
• Immediate action underway to improve staffing and services at Unit 18

WA Police Force Assistant Commissioner Brad Royce APM has been appointed as the new Corrective Services Commissioner at the Department of Justice.

With three decades of policing experience, Mr Royce has a proven track record of strong leadership. He's tasked with steering the Department in a new direction to enable operational and cultural change with the goal of ensuring better outcomes for staff, detainees and the Western Australian public.   

Mr Royce rose through the ranks to the position of Assistant Commissioner – State Crime in 2019. During his three years in the Crime Command, he played an instrumental role in tackling WA's Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and chaired the National Serious and Organised Crime Coordination Committee.

In his most recent role as Assistant Commissioner – Metropolitan Region, Brad Royce was responsible for more than 2,700 staff.

The Corrective Services position of Deputy Commissioner for Women and Young People has been split to establish a new Deputy Commissioner position solely focused on young people. The soon to be appointed senior executivewill direct and control the State's juvenile justice facilities.

Other measures such as significantly increasing staff and support services inside Unit 18 are ongoing as work to improve conditions continues.

Comments attributed to Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia:

"Brad Royce has demonstrated his strong leadership qualities in a variety of roles within the WA Police Force, most recently in two Assistant Commissioner positions.

"Mr Royce knows what's required to manage a large workforce, which often operates in a challenging environment.  

"Those skills will serve him well in his new position as the Corrective Services Commissioner.

"Separating the Deputy Commissioner for Women and Young People role into two positions will ensure better outcomes for both juveniles and women within Western Australia's justice system, and in-turn could benefit the broader community.

"I am committed to improving Unit 18 in the short-term, until an appropriate alternative location is available."