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Editors --- "International links the backbone in the fight against crime" [1999] AUFPPlatypus 14; (1999) 63 Platypus: Journal of the Australian Federal Police, Article 6


International links the backbone in the fight against crime

The AFP's international liaison network made up of 30 federal agents provides intelligence links to most of the world's law enforcement agencies.

The agents' work is vital to the early identification of transnational criminal activities that impact on Australia or involve Australians.

Director of International and Operations outlines this significant role.

Through its network of strategically deployed liaison officers in 16 countries throughout the world, the AFP has a pro-active capacity to combat the increasing complexity and sophistication of criminal activity which has become global by nature.

The main role of AFP liaison officers is to facilitate the interchange of drug and other crime related intelligence between the AFP, other federal law enforcement agencies, Australian State police services and foreign law enforcement agencies. The liaison officers also provide strategic intelligence reporting on international criminal trends.

The AFP aims to provide all Australian law enforcement agencies with the capacity to effectively undertake international investigations. Experienced staff at AFP International, located at AFP head office in Canberra, are available to provide advice on the most effective way to advance overseas inquiries.

A principal objective of the AFP is to provide the Commonwealth government with law enforcement advice and support in meeting its foreign policy interests and international obligations. In this regard, AFP International works closely with a number of agencies, in particular the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Attorney-General's Department.

The AFP supports the Australian government's international responsibilities through the provision of a range of law enforcement services.

Both the Interpol National Central Bureau and the International support group are co-located at AFP Head Office in Canberra.

The Interpol NCB represents all Australian police services and provides a direct link to the 178 member countries of Interpol.

General information

Overseas operations

In its capacity as the Commonwealth's principal law enforcement agency overseas, liaison and intelligence gathering play a major role in AFP operational activity. AFP liaison officers obtain useful and timely criminal intelligence, help to prevent drug importations and provide assistance as required to the National Crime Authority, the Australian Securities Commission, State police services, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.

Liaison officers develop drug and criminal intelligence and coordinate operational arrangements with foreign agencies involved in investigations affecting Australia. The overseas liaison officer network has been instrumental in achieving many major AFP drug seizures.

Liaison officers work closely with host country enforcement agencies, but do not conduct independent investigations or carry out operational police work. They facilitate the exchange of criminal intelligence and report on crime trends and developments in law enforcement, including research, training and operations.

Roles and functions of liaison officers

The principal roles and functions of overseas liaison officers are:

• To establish a relationship of confidence with the police and law enforcement agencies in the host country and other countries within the region of responsibility, facilitating a flow of information to Australian police services.

• To initiate inquiries with relevant local law enforcement agencies on behalf of AFP, State police, ABCI and other Australian law enforcement agencies, and pass on requests from local agencies to the AFP for inquiries within Australia.

• To coordinate and provide advice to host countries on joint investigations.

• To assist the host country in the development and execution of controlled operations.

• To assist with extradition of persons wanted in Australia or the host country.

• To identify new developments in police training, equipment and practices, especially in relation to drugs and organised crime.

• To provide training and technical advice where appropriate to local law enforcement agencies.

• To cooperate, with the knowledge and agreement of the host country, with ‘third country' law enforcement authorities.

• To represent the AFP at international law enforcement conferences, including those held under the auspices of the United Nations Drug Control Program and Interpol.

• To facilitate visits by law enforcement officials to and from the host country.

• To liaise with DFAT-designated special purpose liaison officers at Australian missions where the AFP is not represented.

Overseas liaison officers are operationally responsible to the Commissioner of the AFP, but are required to keep the head of mission informed of their activities, particularly on matters which potentially impact upon the Australian Government.

Illicit drug trafficking is a global industry with sources of supply, production and financing in many countries. The AFP has therefore adopted an international strategy of seeking the cooperation of law enforcement agencies in those countries involved in the illicit drug trade.

Overseas posts are a major part of AFP efforts to combat both international criminal activity affecting Australia and the activities of Australian criminals seeking to avoid detection overseas.
The overseas liaison network provides Australian law enforcement with access to international intelligence and policing methodology.
1999_1400.jpg
Justice and Customs Minister Amanda Vanstone opened a new liaison office in Hanoi recently.

In recent years, increasing emphasis has been given to the identification of Australian nationals travelling overseas, particularly to south-east Asia, for the purpose of child sex tourism. The AFP liaison network aims to gather intelligence relating to such activity and to support the investigation of possible offences under the Crimes (Child Sex Tourism) Amendment Act 1994.

Post establishment

The AFP's overseas liaison network has 30 officers based in key centres around the world: Bangkok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Lyon, Manila, Nicosia, Port Moresby, Rome, Singapore and Washington.

A liaison officer based in Canberra has responsibility for liaison with the countries of the South Pacific. The AFP continues to strengthen relations with its South Pacific neighbours in recognition of their growing significance, primarily through pursuing a South Pacific assistance strategy.

The deployment of AFP liaison officers is periodically reviewed to accommodate changing law enforcement focus.

Interpol — International Criminal Police Organisation

Interpol's National Central Bureau in Canberra works on behalf of all Australian law enforcement agencies in coordinating international inquiries through the Interpol network, and also acts as a central relay point for all South Pacific island countries. It is administered by AFP International, but reports operationally to the AFP Commissioner who represents all Australian Commissioners of police.

Commissioner Mick Palmer is a delegate on the 13 member executive committee of Interpol, representing the Asia region.

The AFP has a federal agent seconded to Interpol, attached to the General Secretariat in Lyon in the Regional Coordination Bureau. The agent plays an active role in fostering and maintaining a dynamic, efficient and effective Interpol network in the Asia region.

Support for overseas posts

A number of teams provide logistic and intelligence support to the liaison officers. In addition, these teams, in conjunction with specialist intelligence analysts, provide a range of national intelligence support facilities to AFP regional offices.

Through these teams, the International area of the AFP head office:

• Manages the overseas liaison network.

• Coordinates international investigations and inquiries.

• Provides a range of international services to both internal and external clients.

• Coordinates official visits both to and from Australia by law enforcement officials.

National Illicit Drugs Strategy

Under the National Illicit Drugs Strategy, the AFP was allocated additional funding over a four year period to establish a Law Enforcement Co-operation Program in the Asia Pacific with effect from July 1, 1998. The aim of the program was to contribute to the interdiction of illicit drugs off-shore.

The program aims to strengthen the capability of foreign law enforcement agencies to gather information and evidence against drug traffickers by providing a modest program of training and, in some cases, equipment.

It allows the AFP the capacity to encourage, assist and build on local overseas law enforcement capability, institutional strengths and personal relationships in specifically targeted countries.

Other overseas activities

Overseas advisers

From time to time, overseas advisers are deployed by the AFP to the Asia and South Pacific region. In January 1998, one officer commenced deployment in Vanuatu as the training adviser to the Vanuatu Police Force under the Defence Cooperation Plan.

In January 1999, a second officer was deployed in Vanuatu as the adviser to the Commissioner, Vanuatu Police Force, also under the Defence Cooperation Plan.

The AFP supplies law enforcement staff for other government initiatives, for example Bougainville peacekeeping and United Nations supervised elections.

The AFP has also provided three investigators to the United Nations War Crimes Commission in The Hague. These members are assisting in the investigation of war crimes emanating from the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

Peacekeeping in Cyprus

Australian police were first sent to the United Nations Civilian Police (UNCIVPOL) in Cyprus in 1964, a commitment which continues. Their main duty is to inquire into and settle disputes between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in the UN Buffer Zone.

Initially, staffing of UNCIVPOL was drawn from all State and Territory police services, however since 1979 the responsibility has been undertaken solely by the AFP.

The unarmed contingent of 20 members are responsible for patrolling three sectors of the Buffer Zone. A large part of their duties consists of escorting and facilitating the movement of people and property through the Buffer Zone.

There is a continuing need for civilian police to respond to demonstrations, providing a division between civilians and armed military personnel.

Policing Australian external territories

Christmas Island

Christmas Island lies 360km south of Indonesia, and 2600km north-west of Perth in the Indian Ocean. The AFP has 10 members posted to Christmas Island, and employs two staff members and seven special members from the local community.

AFP members on Christmas Island perform the full range of community policing functions. They carry out regulatory functions on behalf of Australian Customs, as well as the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

Motor vehicle registry functions are also carried out by AFP officers on Christmas Island.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cocos (Keeling) Islands are approximately 2700km north-west of Perth and 1000km south-west of Christmas Island.

Two AFP officers are also located on the islands and are supported by a locally engaged special constable with two more special constables soon to join the team.

They provide the full range of community policing services to the local community, as well as regulatory functions involved with customs, immigration, motor vehicle registration, and marine activities. The AFP's role on Cocos (Keeling) Islands is featured on page 33 of this edition.

Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is located approximately 1500km east of Brisbane in the South Pacific Ocean. The AFP provides the island with community and Commonwealth policing services by virtue of a formal arrangement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Norfolk Island Government.

An AFP sergeant and two constables are posted to Norfolk Island in accordance with the arrangement. They wear Norfolk Island Police shoulder flashes and enforce Norfolk Island and Commonwealth law.

The duties of the police range from motor vehicle driving licence testing to prosecutions for breaches of various Commonwealth and Norfolk Island laws.

Summary

The AFP overseas liaison officer network plays a valuable role in assisting Australian investigations into drug trafficking and other major criminal enterprises and in fostering coordination and a climate of cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies.

AFP International has a broad role in coordinating Australia's liaison activities and facilitating the exchange of drug and criminal intelligence between the AFP, other Australian law enforcement agencies and overseas law enforcement organisations. It also provides law enforcement input to Australia's international obligations and interests through liaison with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The AFP's overseas commitments enhance Australia's law enforcement reputation through the provision of assistance to other countries, particularly in the South Pacific region.


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