Summary Writing Task Commissioner Retires

question_id: 864

Commissioner Retires

Ken Lay, one of the most likeable chief commissioners, retires.

There is no doubt Ken Lay has been a very popular chief commissioner. Within days of announcing his retirement in January, he received a flood of emails from police and community members who were touched by his commitment to Victoria.

When Police Life spoke to those who worked closest to him over the past three years, the word ‘compassionate’ was used to describe him in almost every conversation. That element of his personality has been reflected in his dedication to family violence, particularly after Luke Batty was killed by his father last year in February.

Commander Robert Clegg worked as Mr Lay’s staff officer and has known him for more than 40 years. “He really put the spotlight on family violence. The Luke Batty incident really affected him,” Commander Clegg said. “He felt the whole system could be improved and really took that on board. He changed processes for warrants so they could be executed immediately and joined forces with Rosie Batty. The issue of family violence became personal for him.”

Mr Lay cared about his employees, the community and, most of all, his family. Just after he was appointed Chief Commissioner in November 2011, Mr Lay told Police Life that without the support of his wife and children, the top job would be impossible. “Whether you are a constable or the Chief Commissioner, the job would be so much harder without a supportive partner, and mine has always been fantastic,” he said.

He and his wife Christine met at Victoria Police. Mrs Lay graduated in 1977 and worked as a senior constable before resigning in 1983. Mr Lay announced his retirement to focus on looking after her as she battles illness.

A country boy, born in Korumburra in 1956, Mr Lay told Police Life it was his work as a police officer where he was first exposed to violence and people who used drugs and alcohol.

Mr Lay spent his early years of policing in Prahran and St.Kilda and later gained experience in roles including operational, detective, training and corporate positions, as well as working in regional and metropolitan areas. He moved to more senior roles, Assistant Commissioner for Region 3 and Traffic and Transit Safety, before achieving the role of Deputy Commissioner (Road Policing) where he made progress in reducing the state’s road toll.

While he achieved a lot in his tenure as Chief Commissioner and during his 41 years as a police officer, Mr Lay told Police Life in 2011 his proudest moment was when he was sworn in at Victoria Police in 1974 after serving as a police cadet. “I still vividly recall how proud I was of my achievement, but also how proud my family and friends were as well. I was determined not to let them or myself down,” he said.

Mr Clegg said Mr Lay was driven by the welfare of his police and would often call the families of officers who had passed away to pay his respects and those who had been injured to check on their wellbeing. It wasn’t unusual for him to be visibly upset after those conversations.

When three police were injured in an explosion while conducting a welfare check at a home in Middle Park in January last year, Mr Lay quickly visited them in the hospital and kept in contact with them, meeting with one only a few weeks before his retirement.

Whether it was to get approval for their project, to ask him to speak at their event, or just o say hello, Mr Lay’s time was valuable. “He was in the office before 6.30 am and at least four times a week wouldn’t finish work until about 9 or 10 pm,” his executive assistant Vicki Pell said.

Among the hundreds of emails he got, 30 to 40 requests for him to speak at events were received every week, normally in regard to leadership and family violence and were often booked a year in advance. “We used to have a meeting every week where we would sit down and go through the upcoming requests for him to speak at events,” Commander Clegg said. “He wanted to do them all.”

But, no matter how busy he was, or how difficult and complicated an issue was, he didn’t show it. He had a calming effect on the office,” Ms Pell said. “He never ever raised his voice and he never stressed.”

While his achievements as Chief Commissioner are well documented, some lesser-known details are that he had a passion for cycling, wine and football.

He wasn’t very tech savvy, once locking himself out of two iPads in one day, and was a frequent caller to Victoria Police’s IT Help Desk.

“Work your magic” he would say to his staff, handing them a task before walking away with a smile.

Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright said he was proud to have been part of Mr Lay’s leadership team. “Ken has received much acclaim and it is richly deserved,” he said. “Quietly, without fanfare, he cared deeply for our staff and devoted a lot of time to ill members and their families. The work he has done in family violence and the release of the Blue Paper will become a major part of his considerable legacy. “I’d like to thank him for his service to Victoria Police over the past 41 years.”