Matthew Varley, the son of Ken and Bev Varley, was sworn in as the new Commissioner at a special handover ceremony at Honiara.

He takes over from Frank Prendergast, whose term recently expired.

Until his appointment, Mr Varley was the AFP’s Assistant Commissioner and national manager workforce and development in Canberra.

He was also the AFP’s liaison officer based in Singapore and responsible for Brunei and East Timor.

His latest position reflects the importance Australia attaches to security and the overall policing role in the Solomon Islands.

Mr Varley’s father, Ken, said the 42-year-old was looking forward to the challenge.

“He loves it [policing],” he told the Chronicle.

“Bev and I, as well as his sisters Lauren and Hannah, wife Nikki, son Max, 10, and daughter Laura, 7, are extremely proud of Matthew.

“He’s done a fantastic job to get where he is today.

“He achieved a high TER at St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen and attended the University of Newcastle for a short time.

“He joined the NSW Police Force in 2006, eventually showing an interest in the AFP.

“Despite the AFP receiving more than 3000 applicants, Matthew gained selection.

“But, he knocked it back because he would be based in Canberra.

“They then offered him a position in Sydney, which he accepted.”

In 2004, Mr Varley attended Charles Sturt University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Policing (Investigations) with Distinction, Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing.

Two years later, he graduated from the Emergency Management Australia with a Certificate in Emergency Management, Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management.

In 2008, he received a Diploma at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Varley studied at the University of Adelaide between 2014 and 2017 where he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business.

He also has a Certificate in Applied Management from the Australian Institute of Police Management.