The Trust is saddened to hear of the passing of Chief Commissioner and 1967 Churchill Fellow Sinclair Imrie “Mick” Miller.
Mr Miller served in the Australian Imperial Force during the 2nd World War before a long and distinguished career with Victoria Police.
Mr Miller joined Victoria Police in 1947, with his first posting at Richmond Police Station, then Brunswick, Carlton and Prahran CIBs, the Vice Squad, the Homicide Squad and the Detective Training School. He was also Assistant Commissioner Operations and Crime before serving as the Chief Commissioner for 10 years, from 1977 to 1987.
As Chief Commissioner, Mr Miller was instrumental in modernising police services with the introduction of Neighbourhood Watch, the establishment of the Special Operations Group, the Police Airwing and revolutionised detective training.
He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1967 and was the first Australian police officer to attend the FBI National Academy. Mr Miller has always remained influential in the direction of Victoria Police and was a very much loved and respected part of the Victoria Police family and will be sadly missed.
Mr Miller’s honours included the Queen’s Police Medal (1971), Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (1981), Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1985), Officer of the Order of Australia (1986) and the Cavaliere of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2003).
Other awards recognising his stature in the community include Victorian Father of the Year (1983), Victorian of the Year (1987), Advance Australia Award (1988) and the Road Traffic Authority Annual Safety Award (1988). Mr Miller is survived by his children and grandchildren.