Chris Eaton (police officer)

Born on 22 February 1952, Eaton attended Caulfield High School in Melbourne and later the Australian Graduate School of Police Management in Sydney. He went on to complete a graduate certificate at the Charles Sturt University in New South Wales.

Eaton has over 40 years' public service experience in the fields of international law enforcement, security and integrity.{{cite web|title=Chris Eaton Director of Sport Integrity International Centre for Sport Security|url=http://www.ihtsportsummit.com/speakers/chris-eaton.aspx|publisher=International Herald Tribune|accessdate=12 June 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613165600/http://www.ihtsportsummit.com/speakers/chris-eaton.aspx|archivedate=13 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}

Eaton began his career, in 1969, with the Victoria police, a state police service in Australia, transferring five years later to then Commonwealth Police, which was later renamed the Australian Federal Police.{{cite news|title=Tate accused over airport security|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19880623&id=AjopAAAAIBAJ&pg=5792,1524210|newspaper=The Age|date=23 June 1988}} Eaton served as a federal agent{{cite journal|last=Wilkins|first=Peter|title=To investigate overseas countries approaches in the investigation and prosecution of hi tech crime by the creation of a national centre for cyber crime|journal=Churchill Trust|page=3|url=http://churchilltrust.com.au/site_media/fellows/Wilkins_Peter_2002-1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308190225/http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/site_media/fellows/Wilkins_Peter_2002-1.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-03-08|accessdate=March 1, 2002}} and also spent over 10 years as the National Secretary of the Australian Federal Police Association,{{cite book|last=Etter, Palmer|first=Barbara, Mick|title=Police Leadership in Australasia|year=1995|publisher=The Federation Press|page=254|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NX434am2lbwC&q=National+Secretary+of+the+Australian+Federal+Police+Association+eaton&pg=PA254|isbn=9781862871830}} the professional representative body of federal police employees, during which time he called for the abolition of the National Crime Authority.{{cite news|title=The National Crime Authority. Incompetent plods, or dangerous destroyers of civil liberty. 1st of 2 stories turn our secretive supercops inside out.|url=http://www.benhills.com/articles/scams-and-scoundrels/item/153-our-supercop-scandal-nca-under-investigation|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=9 March 1991|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111204927/http://www.benhills.com/articles/scams-and-scoundrels/item/153-our-supercop-scandal-nca-under-investigation|archivedate=11 November 2013|df=dmy-all}} and oversaw a fundamental restructure of the AFP's career, ranks and salaries [https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUFPPlatypus/1987/123.pdf]. He is a recipient of the Australian Police Medal.{{cite web|title=It's an Honour|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?breif=true&page=2&search_view=~all~&view=10&search_type=simple|publisher=Australian Government}}

In 1999 Eaton was attached by the Australian Federal Police{{cite web|title=Plans by the Federal Government to place AFP on 10-year contracts|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fradioprm%2F1P200%22|publisher=Parliament of Australia}} to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in France, where among other functions, he was responsible for managing INTERPOL's 24/7 Command and Coordination Centre as Manager of Operations for {{cite web|title=Cops: Have a party, not a war|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/14235/interpol-2010-world-cup-chris-eaton|publisher=Kickoff.com|accessdate=6 March 2010}} the global monitoring and support hub of INTERPOL.{{cite web|title=Singapore is a hub for match-fixers|url=http://www.emirates247.com/sports/football/singapore-is-a-hub-for-match-fixers-fifa-2011-05-01-1.387415|publisher=Emirates 24/7|accessdate=1 May 2011}} During this period Eaton was also seconded from INTERPOL as a senior UN Special Investigator with the Independent Inquiry Committee, managing international investigations of allegations of fraud and corruption within the United Nations' Oil-for-Food Program in Iraq and working out of Paris and New York. Eaton left INTERPOL in 2010.

In December 2010 Eaton was appointed as the security adviser to FIFA for the 2010 World Cup South Africa™, and later, FIFA's head of security,{{cite web|title=FIFA and FIFpro to speak on 'Betting in Football' at Soccerex European Forum|url=http://www.soccerex.com/media-centre/event-news/fifa-and-fifpro-to-speak-on-%E2%80%98betting-in-football%E2%80%99-at-soccerex-european-forum/|publisher=Soccerex|accessdate=5 January 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312222543/http://www.soccerex.com/media-centre/event-news/fifa-and-fifpro-to-speak-on-%E2%80%98betting-in-football%E2%80%99-at-soccerex-european-forum/|archivedate=12 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=All the world is staged Bribed players, fake games. Criminal syndicates can fix any match, anywhere.|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7927946/soccer-wilson-raj-perumal-world-most-prolific-criminal-match-fixer-espn-magazine|publisher=ESPN Soccer|access-date=15 August 2012}} Eaton was responsible for all FIFA interests and assets against risk and threat and oversaw the development of an internal investigation program{{cite web|title=FIFA in Malaysia on match-fixing probe|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/173685-fifa-in-malaysia-on-match-fixing-probe|publisher=NDTV sports|accessdate=19 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108024748/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/173685-fifa-in-malaysia-on-match-fixing-probe|archive-date=8 November 2015|url-status=dead}} to target match-fixing and criminal behaviour within football. The program included managing a team of international investigators, a first for FIFA at the time.{{cite web|title=FIFA in SA to probe alleged match fixing|url=http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/fifa-sa-probe-alleged-match-fixing|publisher=SA News|accessdate=2 December 2012}} Eaton initiated unique institutional tools for sport to combat corruption in football, including a hotline and website in 180 languages, the offer of amnesties,{{cite web|title=Eaton reveals changes in FIFA's programme against match-fixing|url=http://www.playthegame.org/knowledge-bank/articles/eaton-reveals-changes-in-fifas-programme-against-match-fixing-5364.html|publisher=Play the Game|accessdate=29 March 2012}} rewards{{cite web|title=Match-fixing confessions could affect bans: FIFA|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/178981-match-fixing-confessions-could-affect-bans-fifa|publisher=NDTV Sports|accessdate=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105154621/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/178981-match-fixing-confessions-could-affect-bans-fifa|archive-date=5 November 2015|url-status=dead}} and rehabilitation for anyone who revealed important information.{{cite news|title=Report: FIFA Plans Whistleblower Bounty Program|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2011/08/23/report-fifa-plans-whistleblower-bounty-program/|publisher=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=23 August 2011|date=23 August 2011}} The introduction of these tools was delayed when FIFA came under independent governance scrutiny. Eaton saw many in the worldwide sporting industry punished for profiting from the illegal betting industry with ongoing match-fixing investigations in about 50 countries,{{cite news|title=Match fixing: Fifa and Interpol join forces in $20 million bid to fight match-fixing menace|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8501646/Match-fixing-Fifa-and-Interpol-join-forces-in-20-million-bid-to-fight-match-fixing-menace.html|publisher=Telegraph|accessdate=8 May 2011|location=London|first=Paul|last=Kelso|date=8 May 2011}} due in part to his global law enforcement contacts and forceful approach.{{cite news|title=Fifa head of security set to resign dealing a blow to governing body's attempt to stamp out match-fixing in football|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/9087418/Fifa-head-of-security-set-to-resign-dealing-a-blow-to-governing-bodys-attempt-to-stamp-out-match-fixing-in-football.html|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=16 February 2012|location=London|first=Paul|last=Kelso|date=16 February 2012}} His resignation was a setback for the infamous Asiagate{{cite web|title=Blow for Asiagate as Eaton resigns|url=http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27453:blow-for-asiagate-as-eaton-resigns-&catid=50:sport&Itemid=142#.Ucg-g_nfCSo|publisher=The Sunday Mail|accessdate=4 March 2012}} scandal as Eaton was also instrumental in the arrest of the Singaporean man at the center of the match-fixing debacle, Wilson Raj Perumal.{{cite web|title=Perumal: Man behind vast match-fixing case|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/perumal-man-behind-vast-match-fixing-case.aspx?pageID=238&nid=40569|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|accessdate=6 February 2013}}{{cite news|title=Global match-fixing investigation claims major scalp as Wilson Raj Perumal is jailed for two years|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8648454/Global-match-fixing-investigation-claims-major-scalp-as-Wilson-Raj-Perumal-is-jailed-for-two-years.html|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=19 July 2011|location=London|first=Paul|last=Kelso|date=19 July 2011}}

Eaton joined the International Centre for Sport Security in April 2012,{{cite web|title=FIFA's anti-corruption tsar will be a hard act to follow |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/columnists/fifas-anti-corruption-tsar-will-be-a-hard-act-to-follow|publisher=World Soccer|accessdate=20 July 2010}} a non-profit organisation led by president Mohammed Hanzab, vice-president Mohammed Al Hajaj Shahwani and executive director, Helmut Spahn. Eaton has spoken out against a number of issues including the state of English football,{{cite news|title=Ex-FIFA official Chris Eaton says no proof of match-fixing in the English game|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8489534/Ex-FIFA-official-Chris-Eaton-says-no-proof-of-match-fixing-in-the-English-game|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=February 1, 2013}} match-fixing in Africa,{{cite web|title=Zimbabwe 'match-fixers' face ban: FIFA|url=http://www.modernghana.com/newsthread1/352474/1/|publisher=Modern Ghana|accessdate=25 September 2011}}{{cite web|title=Africa must combat match-fixing, says ex-Fifa official|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21833015|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 March 2013}} the need for governmental involvement in match-fixing{{cite news|title=FIFA: Governments must help in match-fixing fight|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/05/sport/football/fifa-match-fixing-liverpool-debrecen-football|publisher=CNN|accessdate=6 February 2013|date=6 February 2013}}{{cite news|title=Criminal gangs rule match-fixing, warns former Fifa head of security|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/09/fifa-footballpolitics|publisher=Guardian|accessdate=9 March 2012|location=London}} and general corruption{{cite web|title=Corruption in sport: a "gold rush" with the law left behind|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/corruption_in_sport_a_gold_rush_with_the_law_left_behind/|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=14 May 2013}} in sport including the Indian Premier League.{{cite news|title=Sport faces integrity crisis, says Chris Eaton|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-31/interviews/39656449_1_popular-sports-other-sports-betting-fraud|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111204139/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-31/interviews/39656449_1_popular-sports-other-sports-betting-fraud|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2013|accessdate=31 May 2013|work=The Times of India|date=31 May 2013}} His primary role is to promote integrity reform in the sport industry and support the creation of international measures to combat integrity threats to sport.{{cite web|title=Sorbonne-ICSS match-fixing report to be released in May|url=http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-football/14460-sorbonne-icss-match-fixing-report-to-be-released-in-may|publisher=Inside World Football|accessdate=11 April 2014}}[https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1031508/icss-director-of-integrity-chris-eaton-reading-the-riot-act-to-fifa-the-ioc-and-all-establishment-figures-in-sport]

In 2014 author Brett Forrest [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/brett-forrest] published a book titled The Big Fix [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-big-fix-brett-forrest/1117196171][https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-fix-brett-forrest?variant=32207983411234] which featured Eaton concerning his role in FIFA and his anti-corruption efforts both within FIFA and particularly in response to match fixing more generally. In 2016 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment purchased Eaton's life rights to develop a feature film [https://variety.com/2016/film/news/soccer-match-fixing-movie-the-big-fix-fox-1201691198/] based on Forrest's book. Fox later passed this project on to Netflix. [https://kemono.su/patreon/user/13228048/post/34769927] The film remains in development through Chernin Entertainment.[https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/coming-soon/crime-movies-coming-to-netflix-in-2022-and-beyond/]

In 2017 at the age of 65 Eaton retired from his full-time work with the ICSS.[https://theicss.org/2017/04/07/joint-statement-from-the-icss-and-chris-eaton/] Eaton remains sought after by mainstream media for his informed views on sport integrity issues,[https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/australian-cricket-faces-controversy-over-alleged-match-fixing/9806448][https://www.aljazeera.com/author/chris_eaton_180525181948846][https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/04/25/irp-report-has-admirable-recommendations-will-have-little-impact/] and occasionally provides consultancy services on similar matters.

Eaton is married with six children (two sons and four daughters) and six grandchildren. He currently resides in Incheon, South Korea.

{{reflist|30em}}

• http://www.theicss.org The International Centre for Sport Security page
• http://www.fifa.com/ FIFA page
• http://www.interpol.int/ Interpol page

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eaton, Chris}}

Category:Australian police officers

Category:Interpol officials

Category:1952 births

Category:Living people