With over 35 years experience, Detective Superintendent John Watson joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and has spent more than 30 years performing criminal investigation duties.
He has investigated a wide range of crime types including Asian organised crime, drugs, firearms, fraud, money laundering and cybercrime.
In 2016 he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent within the Digital Technology & Innovation Command and then, in 2020 he moved to his current role as the Commander Drug and Firearms Squad State Crime Command.
Aside from the Drug components of his role, he relies upon excellent partnerships with Commonwealth and State Law Enforcement Agencies to combat organised crime networks involved in the importation of, or unlawful supply and manufacture of, firearms.
Det Supt Watson is also Operation Athena’s chair, a nationwide initiative which focuses upon illicit Firearms activities throughout Australia.