It is Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar.

He joined the NSW Police Force in 1987 and was initially stationed in Goulburn and Wollongong performing general duties.

The Southern Region Command takes in a huge area from Wollongong in the north to the Victorian border in the south.

It covers the Hume (which includes Goulburn), Riverina, Murrumbidgee, Murray River, South Coast and Lake Illawarra police districts.

He said his time at Wollongong and what is now the South Coast Police District gave him a great exposure to the issues facing regional NSW.

"I certainly have an appreciation of how diverse the Southern Region Command is," he said.

"I am really excited about the prospect of returning to the region and making a positive impact on the local community."

He said one of his main focuses will be on ensuring his people are match fit.

"We will have a strong focus on capability and performance throughout the entire region," he said.

"We need to make sure we have the best people in place to tackle emerging crimes and ensure the safety of our community."

He has worked in local and specialist criminal investigations, including the Homicide Squad, Drugs Squad and Child Abuse Squad. He was promoted to Superintendent in 2011 and spent time in the Youth Command as Assistant Commissioner in 2017.

He took command of Southern Region on July 1.