Charlie Bezzina

Former Homicide Detective | Crime Expert | Media Commentator | Corporate Speaker

Charlie Bezzina is one of Australia’s most respected former homicide detectives, with more than 38 years’ service in the Victoria Police Force — including two decades investigating some of the country’s most complex and high-profile cases.

Joining the elite Homicide Squad in 1989, Charlie was involved in approximately 150 homicide investigations, over 300 suspicious deaths, and multiple fatal police shooting inquiries. His extensive experience saw him contribute to some of Australia’s most significant criminal cases, including the murder of heart surgeon Victor Chang, the serial killings by Paul Charles Denyer, and the underworld murder of Alphonse Gangitano.

Promoted to Senior Sergeant in 1995, Charlie went on to lead teams across the Westgate Drug Task Force, Embona Armed Robbery Task Force, and later returned to Homicide as a Team Leader. His investigations also extended internationally, with extraditions from both the United States and Vietnam, and major cases such as the Wales-King society murders and the manslaughter of David Hookes.

Since retiring from Victoria Police in 2009, Charlie has become a prominent Herald Sun columnist, crime and court commentator, and corporate speaker. His insights are regularly sought by the media for his expertise in law enforcement, criminal behaviour, and leadership under pressure.

Charlie is also an Ambassador for Swann Security and the Police Blue Ribbon Foundation (Westgate Division), and serves as President of the Sunshine & Western Region Sports Club, supporting youth in Melbourne’s west.

As a speaker, Charlie brings audiences behind the scenes of major investigations — sharing powerful lessons in leadership, resilience, teamwork, decision-making, and ethics under pressure — drawn from decades at the coalface of Australian policing.

1. Inside the Mind of a Detective
Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most complex homicide investigations. Charlie shares the mindset, discipline, and teamwork required to solve high-profile cases and make critical decisions under pressure.

2. Leadership Under Fire: Lessons from the Front Line
Drawing from decades leading investigative teams in high-stakes environments, Charlie explores what it takes to lead with integrity, courage, and composure — even when the stakes are life and death.

3. The Power of Resilience: Surviving the Toughest Job in Law Enforcement
Policing at the sharp end comes with immense personal and professional challenges. Charlie reflects on resilience, mental strength, and how to stay grounded amid trauma, scrutiny, and adversity.

4. Crime, Media, and the Modern Investigator
With years of experience as both a detective and media commentator, Charlie offers a fascinating look at how the relationship between law enforcement and the media has evolved — and how public perception shapes justice.

5. Ethics, Accountability, and the Human Factor in Policing
A candid exploration of the moral and ethical decisions faced by police, and how trust, transparency, and humanity remain central to effective law enforcement.

6. Lessons from the Underworld: Organised Crime and the Cost of Corruption
Charlie discusses Melbourne’s gangland wars and the lessons learned from investigating organised crime — including the ripple effects on society, families, and justice.

7. From Homicide to High Performance
The same principles that solve complex crimes — teamwork, analysis, intuition, and accountability — can be applied to corporate life. Charlie translates his investigative experience into practical lessons for leadership and organisational culture.