FORMER ACT chief police officer Ray Johnson has been confirmed as the new commissioner of ACT Corrective Services after acting in the role for more than a year.

Mr Johnson took on the role in an acting capacity in March last year following the departure of former head Jon Peach, and has today (June 9) been confirmed in the position permanently after a 14 month selection process.

He brings almost four decades of policing experience to the role, having first joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in 1985.

He has worked in both uniform and detective roles and was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2013. Mr Johnson has also served as deputy commissioner of the Emergency Services Agency.

Mr Johnson said his vision for ACT Corrective Services is to improve and expand community partnerships to support offenders as well as reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the justice system.

“We must give people the right support so that they have the best chance of not reoffending,” he said.

“I’m also looking forward to continuing to build on safety, health and wellbeing initiatives for Corrections staff. I see great opportunity within ACT Corrective Services to make a difference in the lives of offenders and their families all the while keeping the community safe.”

Mr Johnson said he is committed to implementing recommendations from the “Blueprint for Change” report, which in April revealed a series of staffing and culture issues inside the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).

“To the staff at ACT Corrective Services, and people thinking of joining us, my vision is for our organisation to be an employer of choice, delivering a safe and supportive place to work,” said Mr Johnson.