Mr Robert Connell
- Position
- Commissioner of Police
- Year of death
- 1956
- Plaque number
- FA52
- Dedicated by
- Kings Park Board on 29 September 1929
- More information
Biography abstract:
Robert Connell (19/12/1867 - 11/6/1956) was born in County Kerry, Ireland. He came to Western Australia in 1886 on barque 'Helena Mena' as crew member.
He joined the police force in 1887 and was in the Criminal Investigation Department, sent to Albany, Coolgardie and Fremantle.
He was made sub-inspector in 1888 and sent to Kalgoorlie in 1899 to deal with unrest among miners.
In 1900 he was made Office in Charge of Central Police Station, Perth. He went to England in 1902 to study police systems, including Scotland Yard.
On his return, he was made Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department. In 1911, he became Chief Inspector, and Commissioner in 1913.
He supported the formation of a non-political Police Association. Police Commissioner Connell raised the standards of recruitment and advocated promotion by merit (partly exam based) rather than seniority. Previously, the WA Police Force was largely in the hands of colonial gentry, former military men and public servants. Among the changes he made were the use of finger printing techniques and motor transport.
He introduced the first female police in the State in 1917, although they remained something of a separate entity with specialised functions.
Robert Connell was Commissioner of Police for 21 years with a number of major reforms he introduced giving the police force a stable structure.
He was also a member of the Royal Perth Yacht Club.
Mr Connell was Commissioner of Police in 1929 during the Western Australia Centenary celebrations.