Commander Operations – Southern Command
Gail McClure is Commander Operations for Southern Command (Victoria-Tasmania). In this role, Gail is responsible for leading Aviation and Protection Operations, including protective security of Australian High Office Holders (AHOH) and non-AHOH, and Australian protected establishments, as well as, counter terrorism first response, preventative operations and aviation security at Melbourne Airport. Gail also leads Southern Command Corporate Services with responsibility for human resources, budget and finance, commercial support, media and the health and wellbeing hub.
Gail joined the AFP in March 1999, commencing her career as an investigator in transnational serious and organised crime (TSOC). In 2003, Cmdr. McClure was seconded to the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), where she managed multi-agency investigations involving complex money laundering and tax fraud activity.
In 2008, Gail was promoted to Sergeant and deployed to Counter Terrorism (CT) and in 2013, Gail was appointed Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner. In January 2014, Gail deployed to London as CT Liaison Officer during a period of unprecedented terrorist activity in the UK, Europe and in Australia. Upon her return to Australia, she led Covert Services in Southern Command with responsibility for the Undercover Program, Human Intelligence and Covert Online Operations. In 2018, Gail was promoted to Superintendent and took up the role of Superintendent Investigations in Central Command (South Australia). In this role, Gail was Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Ironside in South Australia which led to the arrest of over 100 individuals involved in significant organised crime activities.
A career highlight was Gail’s posting to London during which she collaborated with CT and national security partners in the UK and across Europe in support of Australian CT operations and national security imperatives, including supporting the disruption of several domestic attacks in Australia.
In June 2021, Gail was humbled to be awarded the Australia Police Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition for her leadership and outstanding service to the AFP. Gail has also been awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation for Excellence in Overseas Service and three Commissioner’s Group Citations for Conspicuous Service.
Gail is committed to a ‘people first’ approach to leadership and focussed on fostering a positive culture through uplifting capability and building happy, high performing teams where people feel valued, supported and empowered.
Gail holds a Bachelor of Arts (Police Studies) and Postgraduate Studies in Applied Criminology and Police Management from the University of Cambridge in England. Gail has also completed a Leadership and Management Course at Kings College, London.