The year in review

Commissioner Mick Palmer

By Commissioner Mick Palmer

Overview of corporate developmentDuring the past two years the AFP has been working on a program which will extensively restructure the organisation and its culture. The implementation of these plans was seen as essential to the organisation being best placed in the future to protect the Commonwealth against criminal attack and to deal with the emerging criminal environment.

The need to become more flexible, adaptable and robust was recognised as being fundamental to meeting continuing and emerging national and international crime related challenges. It is also essential if the AFP is to contribute effectively to protecting Australia’s reputation as a stable and safe society in which to conduct trade, investment and tourism activities.

The AFP is now well advanced in the present planned change process, although the environment which has been created is one of commitment to continuous review and improvement. The present changes are being characterised by a demonstrated commitment to fostering a professional ethos and

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Traditional hierarchical structure which values command and control and adherence to rules, stifles innovation, initiative, flexibility and communications, is judgmental and results in slow decision making.

The teams approach which values empowerment, risk taking, innovation, initiative, is flexible and creates a learning organisation in which communications are speedier and decision making is devolved to the lowest possible level.

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by employing a flexible team-based approach, empowering individuals and emphasising the importance of working with other law enforcement agencies at the international, national and community levels.

The transition from a basically hierarchical rules-bound organisation to one which fosters initiative, learning and empowerment has not been without cost. Many personnel felt the strain of cultural change which inevitably led to a drop in performance levels. Already though, as experience is gained working in the new operational model environment, performance improvements are becoming apparent. For example, significantly enhanced clear-up rates in ACT Region by the ACT Burglary Task Force demonstrate the strong operational outcomes that can be achieved.

I am confident this trend in both the quality and the focus of AFP performance will continue.

Concomitant with the implementation of the operational model has been the review of activities included in Program 1 - the major operational program of the AFP (Investigation of Crimes Against the Commonwealth). The review was commissioned to ensure the resources utilised by the AFP in meeting the objectives of the program were optimally deployed consistent with the priorities established by government. The results of this review will assist in repositioning the AFP to deal with crime to the year 2000 and beyond.

Flowing out of the evaluation of Program 1 are six key priorities for action to improve operational effectiveness. The projects are outlined below.

National information management and communicationsThe project addresses management of coiporate

information both internally and with external agencies. The purpose is to develop information management and communication frameworks, practices and systems which meet the needs of the AFP’s business, nationally and internationally is available and which provide relevant information for decision making at all relevant levels ie: tactical, line management, strategic and corporate.

Integration of intelligenceThis task is aimed at reviewing and refocusing

the existing intelligence framework and resources to integrate it fully with the operational and corporate activities of the AFP. It will put in place the links, both policy and technical, to ensure that intelligence is accessible and available nationally to relevant decision makers in the right form and at the right time and place.

National management of operationsThis project is aimed at the development of

mechanisms to assess, manage and coordinate the deployment of operational resources, nationally and internationally, across the organisation to

ensure that the AFP is able to adopt a coherent, efficient and consistent national approach to operational initiatives.

People development and operating strategiesThis project is a key part of our commitment to

creating an environment which emphasises the value and importance of people, within which people become assets and learning becomes an investment.

The project is aimed at ensuring that the AFP can develop comprehensive and relevant people development strategies and systems that support the achievement of organisational goals and maximise opportunities to develop people to meet the requirements of the future. It will also ensure that the AFP has comprehensive information available to optimise the deployment of its skilled resources whenever they may be required.

Commonwealth agency partnership programThis project is aimed at ensuring that the AFP

maintains its business relationships with its Commonwealth partners and clients at the highest levels of mutual satisfaction and productivity in meeting the law enforcement requirements of the Commonwealth. The project is consistent with the AFP’s ethos of continuously striving to improve and develop inter-agency strategic alliances and partnerships and delivering best possible service to the government and stakeholders.

‘Enhanced clear-up rates in the ACT demonstrate the effectiveness of the team approach’. Constable Chris Sheehan of the ACT Regional Burglary Team examines stolen property after executing a search warrant.

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National scientific technological and systems development

This project is about harnessing related scientific, communications information technologies to provide a unifying direction to their application within the AFP to meet current and future needs in the most cost effective way. An integrated approach to the use and application of modem technologies is essential to meet the challenges associated with the use of these technologies by sophisticated criminal enterprises.

The Commonwealth Agency Partnership Program and the National Scientific, Technological and Systems Development projects are close to being finalised with implementation plans to commence in February 1997. The other projects are due to report to the National Management Team in February with implementation plans to commence in April 1997.

The integrated outcomes of these projects will form the central core of the AFP’s dynamic corporate plan.

IntegrityDuring the Royal Commission into the NSW

Police Service hearings into the activities of the former Commonwealth/NSW Joint Drug Task Force, evidence was given concerning the involvement of AFP personnel in corrupt practices while serving with the task force. Of the 17 former and current members named, 10 members were serving members at the time of the royal commission’s hearings. All but three of

these serving members have since resigned.Following evidence before the royal

commission and further allegations made by a former member on national television, the Attorney-General announced the appointment of Mr Ian Hanison, Senior Counsel, to inquire into the allegations. Mr Flarrison is expected to report the results of the inquiry to the Attorney-General in April 1997.

The AFP welcomes and strongly supports the inquiry process. As I have said many times before the AFP has nothing if it does not have its integrity. As early as November last year the senior executive of the AFP recognised there was a need for an external inquiry. My view is that an external inquiry is a positive opportunity for a rigorous independent review, evaluation and audit from which we and the community can only benefit.

The AFP has not been inactive in respect to corruption. In addition to supporting external reviews we have put in place a range of anticorruption measures. These include: illicit drug testing; declaration of private interests; creating a culture of continual vigilance, audit and oversight; strengthening the summary dismissal provisions; and enhancing policies to encourage and protect whistleblowers.

The integrity of the AFP is wholly dependent upon the personal integrity of its membership and, nothing will damage our reputation more than failure to identify and properly address misbehaviour by AFP personnel at any level.

Integrity though is not just something that we

The AFP has nothing if it does not have its integrity.

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must embrace from within. We must also be able to demonstrate to the public by the way in which we do business that the AFP is an open, accountable organisation which actively embraces, supports and encourages the highest standards of professional behaviour.

During the year the AFP finalised three key integrity policy documents.

The first, the AFP’s Security Plan is one of the the organisation’s internal accountability measures and is designed to ensure that our integrity is worthy of the public’s trust. The plan represents the standards and ethos not only of the organisation but of each and every individual therein. It is a plan to live by, not merely to live with.

The second is the AFP’s Professional Reporting Policy. The importance of having a professional reporting policy cannot be overstated - it is essential to maintaining the health of our organisation, properly and formally supporting personnel who report or otherwise make allegations of corrupt or unacceptable behaviour, and demonstrating publicly our commitment to our core values. Indeed the lack of such a policy has recently attracted adverse comment and publicity from the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

While most AFP personnel probably need little guidance on the issues of ethics, integrity and appropriate behaviour, the express adoption of the professional reporting guidelines will provide certainty, flexibility and specific support to persons who become aware of any misbehaviour which needs to be acted upon. Additionally the guidelines demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of professional conduct and to identifying and effectively dealing with misbehaviour in all its forms.

The third key policy honours a commitment under the AFP Change Agreement (clause 12.1) for the AFP to provide an illicit drug-free workforce. The policy covers education, training, rehabilitation and testing protocols.

The policy is due to come into effect on 1 March 1997 and has been designed to overlap with other AFP processes. For example testing for illicit drugs will become part of the recruitment selection process; reasonable suspicion testing will become another tool for internal investigation (similar to search warrant or interv iew); and targeted testing becomes part of the corruption prevention process.

The principle underlying the policy is that the use of illicit drugs is incompatible with AFP employment. During the first phase of the policy

targeted testing will be voluntary; a legislative element may be used to reinforce the policy at a later date.

The testing program on which the policy is based will be carried out by an independent collection and analysis body in accordance with the Australian standard. All areas of the AFP may be targeted for testing.

The ultimate aim of the policy is to maintain the integrity of the AFP and to protect team members from the consequences of working with those who use illicit substances.

International roleWith recent dramatic changes in the political,

social and economic foundations of many countries, particularly in Europe and Asia, combined with technological advances in information communication and the new freedom in international movement, it is apparent that neither international boundaries nor our location provides the level of protection we enjoyed in the past.

In a future which will feature changing international borders, increasing globalisation of syndicated criminal enterprises, rapidly changing telecommunications systems and revolutionary new technology, policing in Australia is facing an international crime structure with a vastly changed nature and scope.

These global changes have afforded expanded criminal opportunities for sophisticated highly structured international organised crime groups.

Australian police services and law enforcement agencies are feeling the effects of active and sophisticated organised crime groups and gangs engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering,

extortion, corruption, smuggling and fraud.The issue for governments and police services

is the potential for these well financed and motivated crime groups to destabilise economies and to corrupt the law enforcement and judicial systems so critical to the quality of life which Australia enjoys.

The solutions to this problem do not lie within the province of any one state or nation. Certainly no single policing agency in Australia can combat the threat of organised crime to Australian society. It will take the combined efforts of all policing and regulatory agencies and governments across all jurisdictions to effectively combat the threat of organised criminal groups.

It is pleasing to note the move within law

The principle underlying the policy is that the use of illicit drugs is incompatible with AFP employment

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enforcement to joint agency, multi-jurisdictional and even international target directed teams which gather together the best possible mix of skills and resources to deal with the particular problem.

For example in February 1996 a joint AFP, South Australia Police, Department of Employment Education Training and Youth Affairs, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Australian Customs Service and Department of Social Security investigation commenced into the alleged unauthorised release of information from Federal and State Government Departments to private inquiries agents. A DSS officer and four private inquiry agents were arrested and charged.

In another case the AFP, NSW Police, DIMA, the National Crime Authority and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre investigated a ‘people smuggling ring’ from China to Australia from a base in Bangkok. People’s Republic of China Nationals paid a fee and in turn their passage to Australia was facilitated by couriers and false Australian identification. To date four people have been arrested with migration and passport offences. The investigation is ongoing.

And in July 1996 a joint NSW Police Drug Enforcement Agency and AFP investigation culminated in the arrest of a German National, Dutch National and two Australians for the importation of the drug MDMA. Initially 2,000 tablets were seized from the German National at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport and through search warrants a further 1.8kg of MDMA was seized. Approximately $150,000 in cash was also seized.

International teams can also be proactive. For example, in order to be in a position to better respond to computer-related crime, the AFP has continued to develop close liaison and co-opcration with the Australian Security Emergency Response Team, the US Defence Research Program Agency and the Australian Academic Research Network.

HighlightsThe efforts of AFP personnel during the

protests at Parliament House in September won wide and universal praise from the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and other community leaders.

Our peacekeeping work in Cyprus during the year brought praise from Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

And we saw visits by policing organisations from all over the world eager to share the AFP’s experience in combating organised crime and to develop new links and partnerships.

During the year the AFP’s newsletter AFP News ran a series of features which illustrated, in a practical manner, the AFP’s core values of integrity; excellence; commitment; accountability; fairness; and trust. The list of achievements and endeavours of the men and women of the AFP provides very impressive reading. The list included many sworn and unsworn members who had studied part-time for several years to gain university degrees, some receiving academic distinction for their efforts. The list also included accolades for operational excellence such as the teams involved in the Winchester murder investigation and Operation Caribou which saw the dismantling of a sophisticated and highly

Police officers deal with the best and the worst that society can offer: AFP members face angry protesters at Parliament House in Canberra.

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AFP members form a barrier against protesters at Parliament House

AFP members can be seen among the United Nations peacekeeping police and soldiers attempting to restrain crowd members during one of the August protests in Cyprus.

The Peoples Republic of China police delegation toured the Winchester Centre while in the ACT.

Awarded Masters of Public Policy and Administration degrees, Federal Agents Bob McDonald, Doug McKinnon and Miladen Bosnic graduated in May from the Australian Institute of Police Management.

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organised criminal syndicate involved in the importation of nearly 15 tonnes of compressed cannabis. We read of a member being awarded a Churchill fellowship and another selected to assist in the investigation of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. And of another member being recognised by British authorities for bringing two paedophiles to justice.

The first Australasian Women Police Conference was an important initiative in dealing with the practical problems faced by women in policing and addressing the loss of experienced women police officers when they should be progressing to senior management positions.

The AFP’s indigenous recruitment program received an Australian Public Service Equality Award for our innovative approach to recruiting police from all sections of the community.

Conclusion1996 has been a year of strong

consolidation for the AFP. The measures that we have put in train to enhance performance across all areas of operations and operations support and the investment that we have made in our greatest asset, our people, I am confident will yield major operational successes in the new year in our ongoing fight against crime.

I thank everyone for the energy and commitment they have displayed throughout the year in often difficult and sometimes frustrating circumstances and look forward to working with you in 1997.

Above: Federal Agent Peter Nelipa of Forensic Services was awarded a Churchill Fellowship. Right: Federal Agent Bernie O’Donnell is overseas investigating war crimes in the former Yugoslavia.

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Federal Agent Jeff Caldwell receives an Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation from Assistant Commissioner Anderson Dunn of the Metropolitan Police for assistance in bringing two British paedophiles to justice. Pictured from left are Federal Agent Graham Gartside, Assistant Commissioner Anderson Dunn (London Metropolitan Police) Detective Chief Inspector Peter Wiles (London Metropolitan Police), Federal Agent Jeff Caldwell, and Federal Agent Andy Hughes.

The AFP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy logo, right, was designed by Detective Constable Russell Brown who is a member of the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. The centre piece in the design represents a hearth/meeting place or creation and is symbolic of Canberra which is the ‘hearth' of the AFP. The spear is representative of the warrior class.The circles represent the six regions of the AFP and the hatched bars are the dispossessed indigenous people. The serpents on either side are significant of joining together the indigenous people and police.

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