A retired cop has come back to work for the NACC. 

Mike Phelan, a seasoned law enforcement veteran, has been coaxed out of retirement due to the demand for investigative expertise following the inception of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Having served as the former CEO of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and director of the Australian Institute of Criminology, Phelan is no stranger to the world of crime-solving. 

Now, he has reportedly taken on a new role where he will be lending his expertise to the forensic investigations and intelligence team. This includes providing counsel on their work with federal government clients.

Phelan's focus will primarily be on tackling intricate cases involving bribery, corruption, money laundering, financial crime, and cybersecurity. 

The NACC, operational since July 1, saw over 300 referrals flood in within its first ten days. More than half of these cases were notably linked to incidents that received extensive media coverage.

Regarding the NACC's operations, Phelan voiced his concerns about the adequacy of resources within other government departments and agencies when it comes to preparing referrals of the required quality for consideration. 

“This is where a lot of agencies and departments will fall short. They are not at a level of operational maturity to meet the requirements of the NACC,” he said.

Phelan said there has been a significant shift in how internal investigations are now being handled at the highest levels of government and corporations, especially as public scrutiny intensifies.