Virginia Le Bas

Detective Superintendent Virginia Le Bas joined the New Zealand Police in 1991. Prior to joining, she worked as a secondary school teacher, after studying a Bachelor of Physical Education, a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine and receiving her Teaching Diploma at Otago University.

Virginia started off her Police career on the frontline. Two years later she joined the Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), where she worked for 23 years. During her time as a Detective she led many high-profile homicide and organised crime investigations. Her work as an investigator led to her receiving a Commissioner’s Commendation in 2014 for her commitment, professionalism and dedication to duty. She also received a Long Service Star for 21 years’ service.

Virginia was seconded to the Australian Federal Police in 2003 as a Program Manager in the Law Enforcement Cooperation Program. She travelled to a number of Pacific nations to provide investigative training as part of a capacity building project on behalf of the Pacific Chiefs of Police.

Currently Virginia is the National Manager Organised Crime. She is the first female to be appointed to this role, as well as the first appointed female Detective Superintendent.

Outside of work, Virginia is a keen cyclist and she frequently competes in long distance mountain and road cycle races with her partner Bob. They also enjoy travelling overseas, often touring around Europe for a few weeks at a time on their bicycles.