Transnational crime and global cooperation
In light of the transnational nature of crime in today’s world, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) regularly partners with international law enforcement agencies to assist them in their investigations, and in doing so helps preserve the international rule of law and protect Australians from overseas threats.
International objectives and aims
The AFP has identified its three international objectives and aims as being that of responding swiftly and effectively to global criminal threats, protecting Australia, and providing mutual benefits with its international partners. To ensure the success of these objectives, the AFP has set out the following four goals:
- Improve the AFP’s global operations to better demonstrate and promote its international partners and focus
- Pre-emptively thwart offshore threats, protect Australians overseas, and help partner countries “build resilience”
- Further improve the AFP’s international presence to deter criminals from targeting Australia
- Protect Australian “high office holders, members of foreign diplomatic missions, witnesses and international aviation users” and all relevant property
AFP’s role and international posts
With regards to the international community, the AFP has stated that its role consists of three key parts:
- Helping international law enforcement agencies develop and build capability to better combat transnational crime
- Collaborate with international law enforcement agencies
- Gather and exchange information to “support domestic and international law enforcement efforts”
The AFP also has representatives in six different geographic regions of the world, and each of these “international posts” are responsible for several countries and/or regions.
Africa
The AFP assists African law enforcement agencies in identifying and disrupting criminal activities in the region that include cyber-enabled fraud and serious organised crime. In addition, the AFP is a member of the Cyber Task Team, a multi-team body based out of Pretoria, South Africa.
Americas
The AFP’s presence in the Americas spans three geographic regions:
- The USA and Canada
- Colombia (which covers South America and the Caribbean)
- Mexico and Central America
USA and Canada
The AFP assists law enforcement agencies across the USA and Canada in combatting numerous types of crime, including:
- Organised crime
- Terrorism
- Espionage and foreign interference
- Cybercrime
Colombia
The AFP works closely with Colombian law enforcement agencies to combat “international serious and organised crime” as well as child exploitation, terrorism, and drug producing criminal syndicates across 38 jurisdictions.
Mexico and Central America
The AFP works with police forces from nine different jurisdictions to tackle serious and organised crime, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
Asia
The AFP works with law enforcement agencies across 26 jurisdictions to combat:
- Serious and organised crime
- Money laundering and financial crime
- Terrorism
- Drug crime
- Crimes against children
- Human trafficking and people smuggling
Europe
The AFP works with law enforcement agencies across Europe to combat a variety of crimes, including:
- Terrorism
- Synthetic drugs
- Foreign terrorist fighters
- Cybercrime
- Serious and organised crime
- Foreign interference
- Illegal firearms purchased using the dark web
Middle East
The AFP works with regional partners to identify and disrupt criminal activities, with a focus on cybercrime, serious and organised crime, and terrorism. In addition to its focus on strategic and operational engagements in the region, the AFP has played a significant role in collecting evidence pertinent to domestic and international counter-terrorism investigations concerning Australia.
Pacific
The AFP works closely with and assists law enforcement agencies and communities across more than 20 jurisdictions in combatting crime and providing “specialist policing training, equipment and education” and has three primary objectives:
- Fostering stability in the region
- Preserving the rule of law
- Working closely with regional partners
AFP partners and affiliates
In addition to collaborating with law enforcement agencies around the world, the AFP also works closely with several other organisations.
Europol
The AFP ensures that “intelligence and operational information” is exchanged between Europol and its member states and Australian government bodies and law enforcement agencies. Europol can also provide Australian law enforcement agencies information and assistance in investigations involving European member states as well as third countries (i.e., not belonging to the European Union or the European Economic Area).
Interpol
The AFP facilitates investigative requests from Interpol and assists it in “major international disasters and serious crime issues affecting Australia”. Interpol also provides Australian law enforcement agencies with helpful information, including criminal history/background/subscriber/travel history checks, background enquiries, and information about missing persons.
Virtual Global Taskforce
The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is comprised of 15 law enforcement agencies from around the world that work together to “deliver innovative, global strategies that address some of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement in tackling online child sexual abuse”. At present, the VGT is chaired by the AFP.
Afghan Locally Engaged Employee Program
If an Afghan national was employed by the AFP, the Department of Home Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Defence Force (ADF), or the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID, which is now part of DFAT), they may be eligible to apply to the Australian government for resettlement in Australia under the Afghan Locally Engaged Employee Program (Afghan LEE) if the work they’ve conducted has resulted in them or their family being at risk of harm.
As of 30 November 2023, the Australian government – including the AFP – has ceased accepting applications under the Afghan LEE program, but has stipulated that all applications received prior to the closing date will still be processed.
Requests for mutual assistance and extradition
As part of its global work, the AFP provides the following guidance on mutual assistance and extradition requests.
Mutual assistance
Australia is able to issue or receive requests for mutual assistance concerning criminal matters from any country and has treaties in place with several jurisdictions to expedite mutual assistance requests.
Extradition requests
Australia is able to accept extradition requests only from “declared extradition countries”, but can make extradition requests to any country. However, the AFP notes that if another country does not have an existing treaty with Australia, then they may not accept an extradition request under their domestic laws.
Key takeaways
The AFP has developed strong relationships with numerous international law enforcement agencies and affiliates around the world which help in fulfilling its objectives. These objectives include protecting Australians, responding more efficiently and effectively to global threats, and providing mutual benefits with its international partners.
