Meet PRSB members

Ms Andrea Lester appointed October 2015 

Andrea worked as a solicitor for 12 years, specialising in public sector workplace relations and employment matters (including in relation to police). She conducted litigation in all State and Commonwealth courts and tribunals. From 2002 to 2010, Andrea acted in senior public policy and management roles with the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, with a focus on workplace relations, workplace reform and productivity and justice matters. From 2010 she conducted a consulting practice specialising in policy and systems reviews, workplace relations, mediation and workplace and other investigations. Andrea holds degrees in Law (with honours), Science and a Masters of Public Policy and Administration from the University of Melbourne.

Mr Chris Enright appointed September 2016

Chris served Victoria Police for 29 years in criminal and operational investigations, including as a Detective Inspector with the Homicide Squad before achieving a first class honours degree in law in 2003 and being admitted to practice. In 2004 he was seconded to the Australian Crime Commission (now ACIC) before taking up a permanent role on its national executive in 2004. For a number of years he lectured in criminal law subjects at the tertiary level and was an inaugural member of Victoria’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board. Chris practised as a lawyer in the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and a range of regulatory agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Registered Organisations Commission in areas responsible for regulating industrial organisations. Chris is currently an Executive Director and executive member of the Fair Work Commission.  He was appointed as the Board’s Deputy President (Review) in 2019 and re-appointed in that role in 2022.

Stephen Fontana,  appointed November 2024

During his 45-year career at Victoria Police, Stephen gained widespread operational and specialist policing expertise, including a strong record of achievement in emergency management, general policing and the conduct and management of investigations into police corruption, serious and organised crime, and terrorism.  Stephen acquired over fifteen years of executive level leadership and management experience, leading several different Departments which were responsible for the delivery of corporate services, and specialist and generalist policing services to the community. Stephen is a member of the OzChild Board of Management, and runs Fontana Consulenza, a professional consulting company.

Dr Eva Tsahuridu appointed October 2020

Eva is an internationally recognised ethics and professional standards expert who has been researching, educating and advising on organisational and professional ethics for over two decades. She has developed and delivered ethics and professional education offerings and contributed to the development of national and international codes of ethics and professional standards. Previously, Eva was associate professor and industry fellow at the School of Accounting, RMIT University, manager accounting policy, and professional standards and governance policy advisor at CPA Australia, and program director at the School of Management, RMIT University. Eva also holds international academic experience from the UK. Her academic bibliography is extensive including edited books, journal articles, book chapters and conference papers. From Edith Cowan University, she was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy for her thesis on Moral Autonomy in Organisational Decisions and a Master of Business Administration; and from Curtin University, a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).

Senior Sergeant Dermot Avon appointed May 2018, reappointed May 2024

Dermot is currently attached to Prahran Divisional HQ. He has served Victoria Police since 1980 in general duties, crime investigation, security intelligence and corporate areas. He has been on the Police Association board for 15 years, vice president of the Cycling Club for 25 years and pivotal in lobbying for Victoria Police’s peer support network, for which he received an Australian Police Medal in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with professional honours and a Masters of Business Management. Dermot is appointed to the Registration Division.

Superintendent Peta Barrett appointed May 2024

Peta joined Victoria Police in 1995 and has policing experience in risk management, investigations, professional standards, and regional commands.  Peta commenced the role of Superintendent, Risk and Assurance Division, in 2021.  Peta is committed to her personal and professional development, having completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management and Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership.   She is currently the Chair of the Local Professional Standards Committee, Corporate & Regulatory Services and St Vincent De Paul Committee Member, Moonee Ponds.  She is an inclusive, authentic and ethical leader. Peta is appointed to the Registration Division and cross appointed to the Professional Standards Division. 

Ms Susan Clifford APM appointed November 2023

Susan was a member Victoria Police for 27 years where she achieved the rank of Commander.   She led the implementation of multiple reforms across Victoria Police, including those which arose in response to a High Court matter in which Victoria Police faced accusations of racial profiling. Susan played a pivotal role in transforming Victoria Police's approach to sexual assault, child abuse, and family violence. She was a driving force behind the establishment of Multi-disciplinary Centres across the state, fostering collaboration between sexual assault services, Victoria Police, and Child Protection Services; the introduction of the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) model which changed the policing response to sexual offences and child abuse, and the comprehensive overhaul of Victoria Police’s response to family violence. In 2017 she was appointed as the inaugural CEO to Family Safety Victoria. In 2017 Susan was awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM). Susan is appointed to the Review Division.

Dr Rhonda Cumberland appointed September 2016, reappointed September 2022

Rhonda is an experienced leader in community services, presently supporting executive coaching and development programs in the family and sexual violence sectors.   Previously, she was CEO of South East Community Links, the inaugural CEO of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand and CEO of Safe Steps. As Director of the Office of Women’s Policy in the Victorian Government, she co-chaired the State-wide Steering Committee to Reduce Family Violence. She was a sessional panel member with the Victorian Institute of Teaching for nine years and Councillor of the City of Melbourne for five years. She holds a Masters of Social Policy and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Melbourne. Rhonda is appointed to the Review Division. 

Dr Cindy Davids appointed March 2018, reappointed March 2024

Cindy is an experienced academic in various areas of law including employment law, as well as policing, criminal justice, and accountability, having worked at universities in Australia and overseas in senior leadership positions such as Academic Director at the Centre for Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism, and Director of International. Her qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy in Law, Master in Policy and Law, B.A (Hons) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Corruption Studies. She is a registered investigator and has conducted several major public sector research projects, workplace investigations, and integrity training. She is the author of numerous publications, including a book on Conflict of Interest in Policing. Cindy is appointed to the Review Division and cross appointed to the Registration Division.

Commander Therese Fitzgerald APM appointed May 2021, reappointed July 2024

Therese joined Victoria Police in 1993. She has enjoyed a diverse career performing duties in each of the Regions, Legal Services Department, Professional Development Command, Media and the Corporate Communications Department. Currently Therese is the Commander in Southern Metro Region. She was an inaugural member of the VEOHRC Review Response, Partnerships and Innovations Office leading critical cultural reform. Therese was deployed to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands as part the AFP International Deployment Group in 2004. She holds qualifications in law, training and project management. Therese is also the recipient of the Australian Police Medal. Therese is appointed to the Professional Standards Division and cross-appointed to the Registration Division.

Sergeant Peter Griffiths appointed May 2021, reappointed May 2024

Peter has served Victoria Police since 1993 and currently works at Financial Crimes Squad in Crime Command. Peter is qualified as a detective and police prosecutor and has worked in both country and metro stations. He has completed secondments to the Ceja Taskforce and the Brief Integration Project. Peter was successful in an appeal to the High Court of Australia which redefined the laws of consent in sexual assault cases, he is also a Coping Carer Peer and AGLO. Peter also sits on the TPAV Board of Management and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma of Tertiary Studies and a Certificate IV in Frontline Management. Peter is appointed to the Registration Division.

Dr Ross Hendy appointed November 2023

Ross served for over 12 years as a sworn police officer with New Zealand Police and since 2019 as a Lecturer in Criminology at Monash University.  His policing experience involved varying roles in front-line policing (emergency response, road policing), custody supervision (as a Custody Sergeant), and a senior practitioner researcher at NZ Police National Headquarters. His qualifications include a PhD in Criminology from the (University of Cambridge, UK), a master’s degree in strategic studies, a Certificate in Contemporary Policing (Victoria University of Wellington, NZ), a Diploma in Police Workplace Practice (Royal New Zealand Police College, NZ), and a Certificate in New Zealand Policing (Royal New Zealand Police College, NZ) all which relate to police operational practice. Ross is a member of the Australia New Zealand Society of Criminology Policing Thematic Group committee (Deputy Chair for 2024) and the Monash Human Research Ethics Committee. Ross is appointed to the Professional Standards Division and cross-appointed to the Review Division. 

Inspector Mark Nichols appointed May 2024

Mark joined Victoria Police in 1995, and after completing uniform roles at St. Kilda and Richmond Police Stations he worked across various squads and taskforces within the Crime Department and Intelligence and Covert Support Department. In 2010 Mark was promoted to Detective Sergeant at the Ethical Standards Department. Mark took a 5-year career break from Victoria Police in 2011, when he obtained a position at Telstra Corporation as manager of the Law Enforcement Liaison Unit. His next role was as the National Security Operations Manager at Linfox Armaguard, managing the risk profile of the company and planning the secure movement of cash and cargo all over the World. In 2016, Mark returned to Victoria Police attaining a position as an Inspector at the Priority and Safer Communities Division before taking on the Tasking and Coordination role in Division 4 of Northwest Metro Region. In July 2023 he transferred to the Road Policing Strategy Unit and is currently working on the 2024-2028 Victoria Police Road Safety Strategy. Mark is appointed to the Registration Division.  

Ms Wendy Ribbands appointed March 2018, reappointed March 2024

Wendy was a lawyer with a boutique law firm in Melbourne. She served Victoria Police for 17 years attaining the rank of detective sergeant.  She has worked nationally with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, State Revenue Office, National Australia Bank, Australian Stock Exchange and Mercer Australia; and internationally, with Sun Life Financial and AIG Consumer Finance Group. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University and post-graduate qualifications in superannuation and corporation and securities law from the University of Melbourne. Wendy is appointed to the Review Division.

Mr Julius Roe appointed March 2018, reappointed March 2024

Julius is an experienced member of public sector boards including the Australian National Training Authority and the Victorian Skills Commission. He is the Chair of the Portable Long Service Benefit Authority. He was a Fair Work Commissioner from 2010 to 2017 and holds expertise in recruitment, performance management and discipline. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the Australian National University and has undertaken mediator training at Harvard and Bond universities and the Judicial College in Victoria. He continues as a workplace advisor, investigator and consultant. Julius is appointed to the Review Division and cross appointed to the Professional Standards Division.

Mr Michael Stefanovic AM appointed November 2020, reappointed November 2023

Michael has extensive investigative experience with Australian and intergovernmental agencies being admitted as a Member of the Order of Australia for this service. Having served Victoria Police for 14 years in various roles he attained the rank of sergeant. Michael has lectured at the NSW Police College, directed investigations for the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants and currently, is Victoria’s Chief Municipal Inspector. He holds an Associate Diploma in Police Studies (Chisholm), a Bachelor of Arts – Police Studies (Monash), a Graduate Diploma in Organisational Behaviour (Swinburne), a Master of Arts – Police Studies (Exeter UK) and Master of Laws – International Criminal Law (Sussex, UK).   Michael is appointed to the Review Division.

Mr Kenton Winsley appointed November 2023

Kenton, a Ngan’gi man from the Northern Territory, is the Chief Executive Officer of Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative. He has extensive experience, including Regional Director of Public Health and Emergency Management for the Victorian Department of Health, Senior Advisor to the Chief Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Director of Aboriginal Health Practitioners for Top End Health Services, and President of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives. Kenton has also served on ministerial boards such as the Northern Territory Liquor Commission, Royal Darwin Hospital Board, and Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission and is a Member of the Adult Parole Board and Mental Health Tribunal. Kenton holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic), a Bachelor of Nursing, Advanced Diplomas in Government Management, Leadership and Human Resources, and qualifications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice). Kenton is appointed to the Review Division.