Richard has over 27 years of experience in policing in Victoria. He has worked at the frontline, Police Prosecutions, in specialist investigation squads, and corporate areas. Richard managed the Victoria Police’s Sex Industry Coordination Unit for several years and developed a strong understanding of the sex industry throughout Victoria and other States. Richard conducted numerous investigations into the sex industry and became the Victoria Police ‘go to’ person for all matters relating to the sex industry.

Richard also trained police and members of other law enforcement agencies on sex industry trends, legislation, and best practice in investigating and prosecuting offences against the Sex Work Act, Crimes Act, and Commonwealth Criminal Code (Human Trafficking).

Richard built strong relationships with NGO stakeholders and was instrumental in bringing together local councils, Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Business Licencing Authority, Worksafe, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Fair Work Australia to ensure a coordinated approach to assisting the vulnerable people working in the sex industry.

Richard is trained by the Australian Federal Police in Human Trafficking investigations and helped design and develop the Australian Federal Police ‘Look a little deeper’ human trafficking information and awareness package. This package has now been distributed across a wide range of Australian federal and state law enforcement agencies and internationally. It is also be considered for distribution by the United Nations.

He was regularly called upon by the media to make comment on the sex industry on behalf of Victoria Police.