60-651: The Specialist Protective Services (SPS) (formerly Specialist Response Group (SRG)) is a highly trained police unit of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) consisting of a range of teams capable of deploying at short notice in order to undertake a variety of specialist policing tasks. SPS predominantly consist of sworn police officers , based in Canberra , Australian Capital Territory (ACT), who are capable of resolving high risk planned and emergency policing operations; both domestically and internationally. The SPS
120-456: A Preventative Detention Order (PDO), before charging him with terrorist offences. Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said this was the first time a PDO had been used, and validated their importance. However, after Causevic spent three months in jail awaiting trial the federal police decided to drop the terrorism charges. Causevic's defence lawyer, Rob Stary, said there was never any real evidence against Causevic, and that this eroded confidence in
180-703: A full-time tactical unit then known as the Special Operations Team (SOT) replacing the previous part-time group known as the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS). In 2002 SOT was reorganized and renamed as the Specialist Response and Security team (SRS). Initially, SRS had responsibility for ACT Policing only, with it soon became apparent that the wider AFP required tactical operators of their own for both national investigations and International Deployment Group operations. In January 2005, AFP created what
240-710: A medical examination. Once barrier gateways are met, potential members undertake a physically demanding and arduous TR or TO selection course. On successful completion of the relevant selection course and receiving a recommendation, potential operators are then able to commence either the TR or TO basic (operator) course. On successful completion of either the TR or TO basic course, trainees are then admitted into SRG. Other SPS areas such as BRT and police divers have separate selection, assessment and training courses. SPS does not publicise information on weapon platforms or other equipment utilised by their operators, but they are known to utilise
300-531: A number of robotic platforms, an explosives containment chamber and two types of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suits. Australian Federal Police The Australian Federal Police ( AFP ) is the principal federal law enforcement agency of the Australian Government with the unique role of investigating crime and protecting the national security of the Commonwealth of Australia . The AFP
360-477: A police woman position, having previous police experience, and knowledge of child welfare work, but not with any military provost experience. The first female officer was appointed to the force on 18 April 1947, the first of two positions, from more than twenty applicants. In plain clothes, they were also originally appointed as probation officers under the Juvenile Offenders (Probation) Ordinance. By 1976
420-676: A short time since its inception in 2004. Since 1964, Australia has contributed police officers to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus . AFP officers have also previously served with the United Nations in East Timor (Timor-Leste) and South Sudan . In recent years, Australian government efforts to assist neighbouring and remote countries with institutional capacity building has led to AFP deployments to Papua New Guinea ,
480-684: A single command in Canberra, in order to improve efficiencies and effectiveness. Both Brisbane and Melbourne ORG offices were re-located to Canberra in preparation for the merger, with the Specialist Response Group becoming operational in Canberra on 1 July 2012. Specialist Response Group was renamed to Specialist Protective Services around 2019 or 2020. The SPS provides the AFP with highly trained operational specialist teams capable of rapidly deploying either domestically or internationally in order to solve
540-593: A sub-unit of AFP's International Deployment Group, SPS report to a committee consisting of both IDG and ACT Policing executive. Although all SPS operators are sworn police officers, there are a number of unsworn support and training personnel within the organisation who play critical roles. The primary operational components of SPS are Specialist Response, Tactical Response and Targeted Operations, and they are supported by Specialist Policing Command and Coordination. A variety of domestic (AFP National Operations) and international (Asia-Pacific region) deployments were made by
600-474: A variety of course modules including basic and advanced life support, trauma care, emergency medication administration, medical evacuation and extended care in remote and austere environments. Potential operators must have a minimum of two years of contemporary sworn policing experience before undertaking a series of psychological, psychometric and physical fitness testing. Applicants must also complete an integrity assessment, security clearance, panel interview and
660-418: A variety of medium and high-risk planned and emergency incidents. It can deploy and provide critical assistance to regional neighbours in times of crisis, and assist with the restoration of law and order, rapid disaster response assistance, and capacity-building initiatives. SPS provides resources to three distinct areas namely: As SPS are significantly larger than each of its predecessors (SRS and ORG), there
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#1732852799232720-504: A variety of police and community functions and ceremonies. Ceremonial events include the annual National Police Remembrance Day Service at the National Police Memorial in Canberra on 29 September, medal presentations, parades, police funerals, memorial services, official opening of police stations and policing facilities, AFP pipes and drums concerts, inauguration events and public relations events. The Ceremonial Team coordinates
780-646: A watch on him. They could not stop them travelling to Indonesia to smuggle drugs. Instead, they contacted the Indonesian police which led to their arrest in Indonesia rather than when returning to Australia. The leaders of the gang, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran , were executed on 29 April 2015. The others are still serving prison sentences. Over 200 heavily armed police conducted raids at 3:00 am at various houses in Victoria on 19 April 2015, and then held Harun Causevic on
840-685: A wide variety of specialist weapons and munitions. The AFP utilises variants of the Glock pistol and are known to use the Heckler & Koch G36 5.56mm rifle. SPS use less lethal (extended range impact and chemical) weapons and munitions such as the Bean bag round . AFP Tactical operators have used the Taser conducted energy weapon since 2004. SPS uses an armoured police rescue vehicle ( Lenco BearCat ) for particular police operations. In undertaking bomb tasks, SPS's BRT use
900-579: Is a police tactical group as defined under the Australian and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee ( ANZCTC ) arrangements. SPS commenced operations in July 2012 under the name Specialist Response Group as a result of the merging of the Specialist Response and Security Team (SRS) (from ACT Policing ) and the Operational Response Group (ORG) from AFP's International Deployment Group. The SRG became
960-400: Is a reflection of four years of service. Senior Constable is a minimum of six years service. Leading Senior Constable is a reflection of at least 12–15 years of service. From there, promotion to Sergeant etc. is by application/merit and so on. On 2 July 2007, Muhamed Haneef was arrested and held by the AFP and Border officers for terror-related incidents, as he was leaving the country. It was
1020-603: Is also responsible for delivering community policing in the Australian Capital Territory through ACT Policing and to other dependent territories , providing protective security in major airports and close protection for dignitaries including the prime minister of Australia and foreign diplomatic missions , delivering law enforcement training for Asia-Pacific partner agencies, acting as Australia's international law enforcement and policing representative, and contributing to United Nations peacekeeping around
1080-881: Is an independent agency of the Attorney-General's Department and is responsible to the Attorney-General and accountable to the Parliament of Australia . As of October 2019 the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police is Reece Kershaw , formerly the Northern Territory Police Commissioner. The AFP has a focus on preventing, investigating and disrupting transnational , serious, complex and organised crime including terrorism and violent extremism , cybercrime , child exploitation , drug smuggling , and human trafficking . The AFP
1140-536: Is increased flexibility for AFP command to provide greater resources to particular operations or incidents while maintaining other core roles and permanent deployments. The SPS is capable of conducting a variety of operations throughout Australia and overseas including: SPS provides the only full-time local tactical and public order specialist policing for Australian Capital Territory (i.e. ACT Policing ) and SPS can also provide specialist support to other state and territory police jurisdictions when required. Although
1200-534: Is responsible to The Attorney-General's Department. Key priorities of the AFP are set by the Attorney-General, through a "ministerial direction" issued under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979. Areas of operational emphasis include: Continued responsibilities include providing: Federal agents are based in each Australian state and territory, internationally and form the largest component of
1260-572: Is the portfolio of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) responsible for providing policing services to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The Australian Capital Territory Police was an independent police force responsible for policing the ACT until 19 October 1979, when it was merged with the Commonwealth Police to form the AFP. In 1911, the ACT was proclaimed as the seat of Australian government, then
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#17328527992321320-705: The Australian Capital Territory Police . This followed a review of Australia's anti-terrorism capacity by Sir Robert Mark , former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in the UK, which was commissioned by the Fraser government following the 1978 Hilton bombing . In November 1979, the Federal Narcotics Bureau was transferred to the new agency. In 1984 the protective service component of the AFP
1380-877: The Solomon Islands (Under the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands ), Timor-Leste (Under the Timor-Leste Police Development Program TLPDP ), Nauru , Tonga , Vanuatu , Afghanistan , Samoa and Vanuatu . Previous peacekeeping missions have included Haiti , Mozambique , Thailand , Namibia , and Somalia . IDG uses the Specialist Response Group for particular medium and high risk planned operations or emergency incidents in addition to assisting with capacity building and force protection operations. The AFP Ceremonial and Protocol Team conducts and participates in
1440-592: The 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand working with the Royal Thai Navy and international responders. All SPS operators are required to maintain advanced first-aid skills. However, because TR, MR and TO operators often operate in remote and isolated operational environments within Australia and overseas, selected operators are crossed trained as Police Medics. SPS medic training necessitates successful completion of
1500-793: The ACT Police had 563 male and 17 female officers. ACT Policing consists of five police stations (patrols) located in the Canberra town centres of Belconnen, City (Civic), Woden, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin Joint Emergency Service Centre. Police Constables based at these stations provide general duties community policing for the ACT. Uniformed Road Policing members work from the Road Policing Centre in Hume which opened in June 2023 and primarily focus on road safety and traffic law enforcement within
1560-665: The ACT. The Winchester Police Centre, Benjamin Way, Belconnen , is the ACT Policing Headquarters. The Complex houses ACT Policing's Executive, administrative and support sections and elements of the Criminal Investigations area (CI). The complex is named in memory of the former Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester APM , the head of the then ACT Region (ACT Policing) of the AFP. Assistant Commissioner Winchester
1620-540: The AFP Act 1979 to stop, request identification, search and arrest within their jurisdiction. Uniform protection officers undertake an essential role in protecting Australia's critical infrastructure and assist in providing protection for Australian high office holders, diplomatic, consular personnel and other foreign nationals. Specialist Protective Command officers providing an armed uniform capability are located at federal establishments including Parliament House in Canberra ;
1680-653: The AFP Ceremonial and Protocol Officer (CAPO) Network and the AFP Pipes and Drums to perform ceremonial duties at these functions and ceremonies. Formerly the Ceremonial team also included the AFP Ceremonial Mounted Cadre. The AFP Ceremonial Mounted Cadre was raised on 29 September 2006 at the dedication of the National Police Memorial. The ceremonial uniform comprises linkages to former mounted policing units of
1740-816: The AFP and its partner agencies to coordinate operational disruption activities nationally and internationally with the aim of countering the enduring threat posed by foreign fighters. The Australian Federal Police College in Barton, A.C.T. is the training facility for the force. The highest ranked AFP officer is the commissioner, appointed under Section 17 of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 . 5 years, 57 days AFP members performing duties in ACT Policing, External Territories, Aviation, International Deployment Group (mission component) use uniform and community policing ranks. All other members use
1800-623: The AFP and the Australian Crime Commission . Separately, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is charged with investigating systemic corruption in the AFP and other commonwealth agencies. The AFP's role is to enforce Australian criminal law , contribute to combating complex, transnational, serious and organised crime impacting Australia's national security and to protect Commonwealth interests from criminal activity in Australia and overseas. The AFP
1860-473: The AFP and the NSW Police Force , and ceremonial and protocol officer accreditation for all of Australia's policing jurisdictions. The AFP has an international network to assist with inquiries and liaison with police agencies around the world. The AFP represents Australian state/territory police agencies internationally. AFP's International Liaison Officer Network has 85 AFP appointees in 30 countries around
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1920-757: The AFP staff, federal agents chiefly perform criminal investigative duties. Current areas of focus for the AFP: The AFP hosts a National Missing Persons Coordination Unit and the Australian Interpol National Central Bureau. In addition to its federal role, the AFP provides policing services to the Australian Capital Territory and the external territories , including Christmas Island , Cocos (Keeling) Islands , Norfolk Island , and Jervis Bay Territory . The AFP Specialist Protective Command provides physical protection for
1980-669: The AFP's predecessor organisations, namely the Commonwealth Police and the Peace Officer guard, as well as mounted policing units from the NSW Police Force which patrolled the geographic area of the ACT. The Mounted Cadre was disbanded shortly after their final appearance at the opening of the AFP's new Headquarters in Barton on 7 April 2011. The AFP Ceremonial and Protocol team currently provide drill instructor accreditation for both
2040-579: The Australian government at key locations throughout Australia and internationally. Uniform protection officers (identified as Protective Service Officers or PSOs) are firearms and defensive tactics trained, and perform duties which include armed escorts, bomb appraisals, bomb detection canines, visitor control, static guarding, alarm monitoring and response, mobile, foot and bicycle patrols, maintain civil order, security consultancy services, counter-terrorism first response at many Commonwealth establishments. Protective Service Officers have powers under Section 14 of
2100-668: The Australian version of the United States ' Joint Terrorism Task Force , Canada 's Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams and the United Kingdom 's National Counter Terrorism Policing Network . The National Disruption Group (NDG) is an AFP-led interagency team which consolidates the capabilities of participating agencies to prevent, disrupt and prosecute Australian nationals who travel or intend to travel offshore to engage in hostilities and/or undertake terrorism training and support to terrorist entities. The NDG brings together
2160-715: The Commonwealth Attorney-General determined that policing in the Territory should be performed by a local force. In 1927, the Federal Capital Territory Police was formed and staffed by 11 men, 10 former Commonwealth Peace Officers and the former NSW Police Sergeant, who had been in charge of the NSW Police contingent in Canberra. The force soon changed its name to the Commonwealth Police (Australian Capital Territory), until 1957 when it formally adopted
2220-490: The Commonwealth Police to form the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The AFP assumed responsibility for policing the ACT, retaining the role to this day, notable as the ACT attained a degree of self-government in 1989. ACT Policing currently consists of around 1,015 people of which 731 are sworn police, 270 unsworn and 14 PSOs . In January 1947, the chief of the Canberra Police advised several applications were received for
2280-557: The Federal Capital Territory under Commonwealth Government administration. Until 1927, the New South Wales Police patrolled what was mostly rural bushland, except for a small and slowly expanding capital city of Canberra . By the mid-1920s plans were well underway to move Parliament and several Commonwealth Government departments to Canberra and many public buildings were on the verge of being constructed. In 1926,
2340-460: The authorities. He was also critical of the earlier "grandstanding" of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Daniel Andrews. On 4 June 2019 the AFP conducted a raid on the home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst , looking for information connected to a story she had written a few years earlier about new laws that would give the security forces new powers for surveillance over Australian citizens. Radio host Ben Fordham also claimed that he
2400-410: The handling of the matter due to laws preventing the agency from disclosing certain information. This led to accusations the agency was refusing to hand over the evidence. The inquiry was created in the wake of accusations of mishandling made by both the ACT's Director of Public Prosecutions , Shane Drumgold , and the Australian Federal Police against each other. ACT Policing ACT Policing
2460-566: The largest centralised specialist policing capability in Australia, with almost 200 personnel. In 2020, the AFP conducted a review of their organisational structure and operating model and subsequently established the Specialist Protection Command on 1 July 2020. The AFP reported in a 2019-20 annual report that the SRG had been renamed as Specialist Protective Services. AFP has had charge of local ACT Policing since 1979, and established
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2520-647: The longest detention without charge under recent anti-terror laws and was found to be unjustified. He received an apology and compensation after this. In October 2006 a Cairns jury convicted pilot Frederic Arthur Martens under sex tourism laws of having intercourse with a 14-year-old girl in Port Moresby , Papua New Guinea . However, Martens was not in Port Moresby at the time, and flight records could prove this. The AFP refused to retrieve those records despite numerous requests, and Martins could not retrieve them as he
2580-523: The majority of AFP Members engaged in duties outside of ACT Policing, who under AFP Commissioner's Order 1 (Administration), are titled Federal Agents, police Members of ACT Policing (and some other AFP portfolios) adopt traditional ranks: Those who have sufficient experience and have demonstrated the appropriate competencies are designated as a Detective . The title 'Chief Officer' was first used by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Edward Jones from 1927 until his retirement in 1943. During his tenure, Jones also held
2640-542: The name, Australian Capital Territory Police Force. In July 1972 the Aboriginal tent embassy set up by Gary Foley and other notable activists was torn down by ACT police forces for the first time, however many more tents were set up and again torn down by the ACT police. On 19 October 1979, as a result of a Commonwealth Government restructure of Australian national policing services, the ACT Police Force amalgamated with
2700-605: The positions of Director of the Commonwealth Investigation Bureau and the Superintendent of the Peace Officer Guard. Jones' successor, Robert Reid, was appointed solely to head the ACT Police Force. Subsequent commanders of the ACT Police Force used the title Commissioner until the force was amalgamated with the Commonwealth Police in 1979 to form the AFP. During Assistant Commissioner Bates' tenure, at
2760-520: The possibility that reporters may also be charged in relation to the alleged offences being investigated. On 15 April 2020, the High Court of Australia ruled that the warrant used in the Smethurst raid was invalid. The Australian Federal Police withheld evidence provided by ACT Policing investigators to ACT prosecutors in 2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations to an inquiry into
2820-565: The predecessor organisation, Operational Response Group . SPS still maintains a permanent presence based in Honiara, Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The other predecessor organisation Specialist Response and Security team undertook a range of operations supporting ACT Policing (community policing), in addition to some national operations and support to RAMSI. Then SRG Divers took part in
2880-638: The primary law enforcement agency responsible for aviation security at the nine major Australian airports; Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns, Gold Coast and Perth. On 6 December 2019 the AFP announced that the Protective Operations Response Team (PORT) members located at the nine designated Australian airports will carry the Daniel Defense Mk.18 Short Barreled Rifle. The increase in AFP aviation protection capability
2940-490: The residences of the prime minister and governor-general; foreign embassies and consulates in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth; the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation , joint defence facilities such as the Australian Defence Force Headquarters in Canberra, Holsworthy Barracks, Garden Island Naval Base , Victoria Barracks, the Pine Gap US defence installation, and sensitive covert locations in Australia and internationally. Aviation Uniform Police (AUP) are
3000-563: The time of ACT self-government commencement in 1989, the title Chief Police Officer was resumed to denote the head of ACT Policing. Whilst remaining within the AFP command structure, the CPO also became accountable to the ACT Government for policing outcomes in the ACT. In 2001, the position and title of Deputy Chief Police Officer was created. The first incumbent, between 2001 and 2002, was Assistant Commissioner Denis McDermott APM , followed by Assistant Commissioner Andrew Hughes APM between 2002 and 2003. Assistant Commissioner Hughes performed
3060-431: The title Federal Agent. Where applicable qualified members are also entitled to use Detective designation. AFP Commissioner's Order 1 (Administration) states that every AFP Member holds a rank (as detailed below), with the corresponding title and role adopted. Policing Rank/Title Operations Title Federal Agent Federal Agent Federal Agent Federal Agent Commander Assistant Commissioner First Class Constable
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#17328527992323120-428: The world. AFP International Liaison Officers are the Australian Government's law enforcement representatives overseas. The Joint Counter Terrorism Teams (JCTTs) in each state and territory jurisdiction consist of AFP, state and territory police, and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation officers. JCTTs conduct investigations to prevent and disrupt terrorism and violent extremism . The JCTT model can be seen as
3180-406: The world. The AFP is also a member of the National Intelligence Community and works closely with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation , the Australian Border Force , and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission . The Australian Federal Police was formed on 19 October 1979 under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 after the merging of the former Commonwealth Police and
3240-424: Was in jail. When the records were eventually retrieved by Martens' partner the convictions were quashed, with strong criticism of the AFP by Justice Chesterman. The AFP also froze all of Marten's funds while he was in custody, which prevented treatment for his daughter in Port Moresby, who died as a result. The AFP were contacted by a member of the Bali Nine drug courier gang's father, and they said they would keep
3300-522: Was murdered outside his house in early 1989. Criminal Investigations (CI) provides a detective function for the ACT, and is located at each of the main police stations (being Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Woden, Belconnen and City) and the Winchester Police Centre. AFP Specialist Protective Command provide a full-time tactical response capability, through the Tactical Response Team, in addition to search and rescue, public order management (riot control), police dogs and bomb response functions. As distinct from
3360-409: Was part of the Aviation Security Enhancement Program (ASEP), the short barreled firearms specifically for the purpose of delivering a Counter Terrorist First Response (CTFR) role. Since its inception, the AFP has had a long tradition of involvement in international peacekeeping , policing and capacity development. International Deployment Group (IDG) is an AFP portfolio that has increased rapidly in
3420-402: Was renamed the Operational Response Group (ORG) in 2006. As part of the expansion, a forward base was opened in Brisbane , Queensland , and an Aviation Support Unit was opened in Melbourne , Victoria . AFP conducted reviews (Leahy and Beale reviews) which recommended that SRS and ORG be merged in order to reduce duplication of efforts, and to centralise AFP tactical/specialist resources under
3480-471: Was separated forming the Australian Protective Service under the administrative service and later governed by Attorney-General's Department; that agency was transferred back to the AFP in 2004 and is now known as Australian Federal Police Specialist Protective Command or as "Uniform Protection" internally. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, a joint committee of members of the Australian House and Senate , has responsibility for oversight of
3540-421: Was then known as the Operational Response Team (ORT), a small team of specialist tactical police able to respond and assist AFP officers engaged in the International Deployment Group's response to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Solomon Islands . The ORT was soon expanded to fulfil further AFP domestic and international operations and included new roles (such as public order), and
3600-598: Was under investigation for some of his reporting. The next day the police raided the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) over a story about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. The search warrant allowed the police to "add, copy, delete or alter" any files they found on the computers. The incidents caused an outcry of condemnation from international media outlets, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and The New York Times . However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that "it never troubles me that our laws are being upheld". The AFP have not ruled out
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