Board of Directors

The Executive

President - Harry Arnott

Harry was elected as President of the WA Police Union in November 2018 after four years in the role of Vice President. He joined the Board in 2011 and continues to hold his role as Director of the Southern Region.

Since joining the WA Police Force in 1992, Harry has served in the metropolitan region, Collie, Harvey, Australind, Bunbury, Koorda as OIC where he attained the rank of Sergeant, Geraldton, OIC of Moora, Albany, Pemberton as OIC and most recently Manjimup’s OIC.

Harry has championed the needs of regional Members throughout his time on the Board, including leading the charge against the State Government’s GROH rent increases. This campaign has resulted in a new partnership between WAPU and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA).

Harry is not afraid to speak his mind. He continues to work hard in the political field trying to attain a greater level of relevancy for WAPU with sitting members of Parliament.

Together with the Board of Directors, Harry aims to bring a new approach to the Union and its relevancy across all sectors.

His goals are to establish effective communication strategies, focus on the issues that matter by building relationships with the membership and external partners and to challenge the status quo by ensuring fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency within WAPU.

Harry’s vision is to leave a lasting legacy of care and advocacy for all of the membership.

Senior Vice President - Mick Kelly

Mick has spent 29 years working on the frontline reaching the rank of Senior Sergeant and was elected to the role of Senior Vice President in November 2018.

He has been a Director since 2009 and was Treasurer for six years between 2012 and 2018.

In addition to his role as Senior Vice President, Mick is WAPU's 24/7 On Call Emergency Director, available to provide assistance or guidance when required, and is the conduit between Members and WAPU’s Legal Team, police chaplains and Health, Welfare & Safety Branch Representatives for critical incidents offering operational support across WA. He is also chairs the Legal Committee and manages WAPU's Operations Division.

Mick has always made himself available for the membership providing welfare support, along with industrial and/or legal advice whenever it is needed. Members recognise him as someone they can trust and who will speak out on their behalf when they are unable to.

In both his role as frontline officer and as a Director, he is cognisant of the constant pressures being placed on Members having to operate in an environment where stress levels are at an all-time high. He continues to push to improve overall working conditions, rostering practices and shift allowances for all Members and he understands his role as a Director is to fight to get better outcomes for every Member.

Throughout his nine years on the Board, he has accompanied the WAPU Field Officers on visits to nearly all metropolitan and regional stations along with lock-up facilities, and understands the importance of a Director getting out and meeting Members to gather a true perspective of the unique challenges placed on each of them.

In addition to his role with WAPU, he also holds positions on both the WA Police Legacy Board and Police Families Assistance Council.

Vice President - Brandon Shortland

Treasurer - Ward Adamson

Ward Adamson joined the WA Police Force in 1981 and has served in both metropolitan and regional locations such as Midland, Mundaring, Gingin, Lenora (OIC) and Gosnells. Ward has also spent time in a number of specialist locations such as Major Incident Group, Major Crash and most recently as a senior prosecutor at both the Perth and Armadale Prosecuting Offices.

He began his union involvement in 1989 as Secretary of the Perth Traffic Branch.

However, it was his work reinvigorating the Armadale Gosnells Branch as President between 2010 and 2012 which saw him become passionate about the Union and its Members.

Following stints as Secretary of the Midland Workshops Branch and Prosecuting Branch President, Ward was elected to the Board in 2014 and then re-elected in 2015 and 2018.

Like his fellow Directors, Ward isn’t afraid to voice his opinion and tell people when they have crossed a line either morally, legally or industrially. He joined WA Police to protect the community and he aims to protect Members in his role with WAPU.

He has sat as part of both the Legal and Risk & Audit Committees and will hold the position of Treasurer for the current term of the Board. As Treasurer, Ward will oversee the responsible spending of Members’ funds and ensure that all expenditure has an end result.

Directors

Eastern Region Director - Dave Curtis

Metropolitan Region Director - Paul Gale

Northern Region Director - Jason Gentili

Central Region Director - Mick Gill

Mick Gill joined WA Police in 1985 after a career as an electrician saw him exposed to the benefits of unionism and the protection and benefits it provides for its members. He has remained a WAPU Member since day one.

He has served in general duties and as a detectives, he has been stationed in a variety of work areas including Fremantle, Brentwood,  CIB, Fremantle CIB, Drug Squad, Fraud Squad, 79 Division, South Hedland CIB, Major Fraud and Katanning.

Mick grew to love the country life while in Katanning and in 2005 transferred to the Geraldton Police Station in the general duties area. It is in this time he became very interested in WAPU and got involved at Branch level. Mick has served in a number of different roles at the Geraldton Police Complex both in uniform and detectives.

During his time in RWA, he has gained an understanding of the very different issues that set challenges for officers working in RWA.

Mick became a WAPU Director in 2012 representing the Central Region and with the other three RWA Directors strive to resolve the issues that affect RWA in particular but remain cognisant of issues and the welfare of all Members across the entire Membership.

He is honoured to be a part of the WAPU Board and appreciate the opportunity to represent the Membership at various levels.

Metropolitan Region Director - Debra Hutchinson

Metropolitan Region Director - Mark Johnson

Mark (Johnno) Johnson has been a dedicated frontline police officer longer than many of you have been alive. Joining as a Cadet in 1979 he has seen WA Police evolve into a more contemporary policing agency.

As many of you will be aware, he is not afraid to voice his opinion and impart his experience in the political arena. In fact since his problems at Spring in the Valley, Mark has committed himself to helping and being there for comrades found in similar situations. Johnno is a backyard expert on the Management Intervention Model and this is where he sees his biggest benefit to WAPU and its Members. He is always available as an interview friend.

Mark’s move into the political side of policing has reinvigorated his love of the job and he looks forward to being an effective and efficient activist at WAPU. He is proud of his rapport with ranking officers and enjoys imparting his common sense on their initiatives.

The camaraderie of the blue shirt is what makes our chosen career extraordinary so let’s continue to work together and remember; strength in unity.

Metropolitan Region Director - Jason Mora

Metropolitan Region Director - Harry Russell

Metropolitan Region Director - George Tilbury

George Tilbury has been a passionate WA Police Union advocate for his entire career, and has been active as a Branch Official and Director for more than 20 years.

At 39, George was the youngest President in the 100-year history of the WA Police Union. He served as President from 2012 to 2018. George was re-elected to the Board in 2018 as a Metropolitan Director.

He has worked tirelessly to restore political influence; promote good working relationships with corporate partners; enhance financial security; establish good lines of communication and significantly improve Member services.

Some of George’s proudest achievements during his term as President involve legislative reform, particularly as some matters remained unresolved for up to seven years. Blood testing for offenders, mandatory imprisonment for driving recklessly while evading police, closing the assault public officer parole loophole and repealing the CIA ‘babysitting’ clause are just a few that have made a significant difference to frontline police officers.

George has a history of bringing new ideas into the Union, and he hasn’t been afraid to go out on a limb and encourage the Board of Directors to try new strategies.

George is always up for a challenge, not afraid to make hard decisions and will always put Members first.

Metropolitan Region Director - Clint Whalley