DEATH OF MR JIM LEES, QPM, A FORMER COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: Former New South Wales Commissioner of Police, Jim Lees, QPM, will be remembered as not only a great policeman but as an outstandingly good man, husband, father, grandfather and Christian role model to his family, the community and the New South Wales police force. However, first and foremost, he will always be remembered as God’s man. Jim Lees’ life was marked by integrity, a sense of justice and a commitment to the welfare of others. His family will always remember his keen sense of humour, his graciousness, his ability to give his best and his unfailing love for his first and only love—his wife, Norma. Jim Lees was a man who loved and served Christ and prayed constantly for the welfare of others, even up until the day before he died at 84 years of age.
More than 800 people packed Wesley Church in Pitt Street, Sydney, to remember the life and legacy of Jim Lees, who served as New South Wales Commissioner of Police from 1979 to 1981. Among the many family and friends who mourned his loss and gave thanks were New South Wales Commissioner of Police, Ken Moroney, and former police commissioners Cec Abbott, John Avery and Tony Lauer, former New South Wales Ministers of Police, members of Hornsby Baptist Church and friends from several Wesley Mission congregations where Mr and Mrs Lees had worshipped over many years. Commissioner Moroney described Mr Lees as an astute administrator and police educator, who was an inspirational leader for arguably one of the largest police forces in the world. He said that Jim Lees was an example for us to follow. He said:
On a personal level, I will miss Jim’s endearing friendship, good grace and gentlemanly manner. I shall also miss the occasional phone call of encouragement and support.
Jim Lees was born in Hornsby in 1919 and attended Hurlstone Agricultural High School. He wanted to be a farmer but soon discovered that he was unsuited for life on the land and was accepted as a cadet officer in the New South Wales Police Force, aged 17. Due to his outstanding ability and performance, he was made a constable within six months and soon rose through the ranks of the Police Force. In 1976 he was made Assistant Commissioner of Police and in October 1979 he was appointed Commissioner of Police. In addition to 12 New South Wales police commendations, he received the Queen’s Police Medal in 1976, Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1977, the National Medal in 1977 and was named Australian Father of the Year in 1981. His commissionership was characterised by integrity as he judiciously and vigorously weeded out police corruption. Former New South Wales Commissioner of Police John Avery called him “the light at the beginning of the tunnel”.
Alongside Jim has been his wife, Norma. The couple met during their youth and were married in October 1944. They built a large family home in Sydney’s northern suburbs, began a family, and threw themselves into church and community life. Speaking on behalf of the Lees children Sue and John, brother Peter Lees described his dad as “always full of life”. He said:
He was quite a character. Dad was always thinking of others before himself. Dad was always on duty and no matter what rank he reached he was proud to be an everyday cop.
Mr Lees taught Sunday school, was a choirmaster and conductor at his church, and established the Police Christian Fellowship. Grand-daughter Amy Lees described her grandfather as a person who “clothed himself with compassion and kindness, gentleness and patience”. She said:
Pa set an example of what it means to follow Jesus. He was an awesome man of God. Pa as a child of God has now come face to face with his creator and his saviour.
It was during the late 1970s that Mr Lees and I first met in my role as Superintendent of Wesley Mission. I visited him at home and in hospital and our last occasion together was the privilege of presiding at his funeral. Over the years we became close friends and he shared much with me. However, he never said a word about the issues that he was facing concerning corruption within the force, but I prayed with him that he might have wisdom and discernment. He was a great churchman. Over the years he ministered to many children through Sunday schools. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. However, Jim was more than great. He was a good man, and that is rare. It is much easier to find a great man than to find a good man. He was an outstandingly good man. For 84 years God has blessed us with a very remarkable man. The Gospel is that in times of suffering we have the companionship of God to help us; in times of uncertainty and doubt we have His truth to guide us; in times of fear we have His courage to embolden us; and in times of death we have the resurrection of Jesus that brings us hope. We salute a great Christian man and thank God for his life and influence in his chosen profession within the New South Wales Police Force, upon reaching the highest rank in the State, for all that he did for our State and country, and for our friendship. 26 October 2004.
