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

Assistant Commissioner Cassar 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."

Assistant Commissioner Cassar 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."

Assistant Commissioner achieved his Detective designation in 1992 and has worked in both local criminal investigations and specialist criminal investigations, including the Homicide Squad, Drugs Squad and Child Abuse Squad.

In 2005, Assistant Commissioner Cassar was promoted to Inspector at the Eastern Beaches Local Area Command and in 2008 he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Alcohol Licensing Enforcement Command.

Assistant Commissioner Cassar was promoted to Superintendent in 2011 and spent time at the Cabramatta, Shoalhaven and Wollongong Local Area Commands before joining the Capability, Performance and Youth Command as Assistant Commissioner in 2017.

He took command of Southern Region on July 1.