Matthew Lawson

Matthew Lawson is the retired Chief superintendent of the Ballarat Police Force. ( series 1-4) Matthew was briefly Chief inspector, following a demotion from his superiors in Melbourne at his return to Ballarat in series 3. Portrayed by Joel Tobeck, Lawson is a strong and authoritative man who is close friends and loyal allies with police surgeon Lucien Blake.

## Biography

Before the beginning of series one, very little is known about Lawson's professional or personal history. However, as the show progresses it is learned that he grew up in Ballarat and attended Ballarat West State School, where he was bullied and indeed beaten up by tormentor Donald McAvoy. While the series generally gives the impression that Lawson is a bachelor, he mentions at the end of a case in series two, that "Raising daughters isn't easy, I never never went through anything like that with my girls." Suggesting that he is or indeed was at some point and possibly still is married and has daughters. However, very little is otherwise known, except that he has a niece, Rose Anderson, for whom he organizes a job at the local newspaper. The superintendent joined the police force and was Doug Ashby's subordinate for 10 years (where he comments that Ashby "made his life hell") He was briefly stationed at King's Cross or "the cross" in Melbourne before becoming the commander of the Ballarat station. Lawson hired Thomas Blake, Lucien's late father as police surgeon, and subsequently hired Lucien after his father's passing.Towards the end of series 2, Lawson is summoned to Melbourne for disciplinary hearing and returns in late series 3. Then, at the start of series of four, Matthew is the victim of a hit and run while on duty. Saving the life of his senior sergeant, Lawson pushes Davis out of the way of an oncoming car and badly injures his leg as the driver speeds off. The results of this injury lead the Superintendent into an early retirement.

## Personality

Matthew Lawson, as befits his position, has a very authoritative and demanding nature, especially toward his subordinates. Such a trait proved useful in keeping Lucien Blake's unruliness in check. While not easily stressed, Lawson is an intelligent and principled man at his core and feels things more deeply than he lets Lucien or his officers know. His pride often leads to him bottling up strong emotions, particularly his thoughts and feelings surrounding the prospect of losing his job or being forced into early retirement due to Blake's recklessness and tendency to annoy important people and ignore Lawson's directions. This affects his role as commanding officer as it causes him to be more strict on his officers and more suspicious of Senior Constable Charlie Davis.

While somewhat of a philistine (except towards Australian history, culture and quiz shows), he can also be very human and very understanding when necessary and can appreciate a person's qualities, which is why he puts up with his friend in spite of being pressured to fire him and even promotes Charlie to Senior Sergeant before heading to Melbourne for review. Tenacious, loyal, kind, and holding onto a strong need for justice and fairness, Mathew remains good friends with Blake throughout the series, despite his continued annoyance and concern regarding Blake's behaviour. His loyalty extends to the point of helping Lucien uncover the grave of an elderly women in the middle of the night in order to confirm suspicions about a second body in the coffin. At the end of the day Mathew Lawson is committed to his job, good policing, reaching a conclusion using all available sources (including Blake), and upholding his own sense of morality and what it means to be human. Despite his apparent nature, he is at heart, a very kind and genuine man.