Jim Lees
James Travers "Jim" Lees QPM (18 August 1920–3 September 2004) was the Commissioner of the New South Wales Police from 17 October 1979 to 29 December 1981.
Private life
Lees was born in 1920 at Hornsby and went on to attend the Hurlstone Agricultural High School. He had initially wanted to be a farmer but found that he was not suited for a life on the land.
Lees married his wife Norma in October 1944. They went on to have a family with children Sue, John and Peter. Lees also taught a Sunday School and was heavily involved with his church. He also established the Police Christian Fellowship.
Lees died on 2 September 2004 at the age of 84. His funeral was attended by incumbent Police Commissioner Ken Moroney as well as former Police Commissioners Cec Abbott, John Avery and Tony Lauer.
Police career
After giving up on farming Lees accepted as a cadet in the New South Wales Police Force at the age of 17 in 1936. Within six months he was made a Constable and began to rise through the ranks of the force.