National Manager Operations Support
Assistant Commissioner Prendergast has been a member of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for 20 years, in a variety of geographical and operational areas within the AFP including Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. He has undertaken a diverse range of operational roles including the investigation of fraud, drug narcotic offences, organised crime, corruption and special references.
Assistant Commissioner Prendergast has had extensive experience in joint operational activity which has left him deeply convinced of the value of cooperative and collaborative joint activity in investigating serious crime.
His roles have included Coordinator Operations Adelaide Office, Director Adelaide Office, and Director Operations Southern. Notable achievements in these roles included managing the AFP’s operational response to the major disturbances at the Woomera Detention Centre; Operation Avian Komodo resulting in the seizure of over 300 kilograms of Cocaine in Adelaide in 1998; and Operation Avian Sorbet which resulted in the seizure of 125 kilograms of heroin and the cargo vessel the Pong Su in 2003.
Under the AFP’s Functional Model Assistant Commissioner Prendergast assumed the role of Manager Melbourne Office. In this role he was responsible for the general management and supervision of the Melbourne Office, ensuring that the relevant performance targets are met, the maintenance and enhancement of client relationships, and overseeing operational activity conducted by the Office.
In December 2005 Assistant Commissioner Prendergast commenced as AFP National Manager Counter Terrorism. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in January 2006. He was responsible for the AFP’s Counter Terrorism Portfolio including its domestic and international counter terrorism operations.
On 1 February 2008 Assistant Commissioner Prendergast became National Manager of the AFP’s International Deployment Group, which manages the deployment of Australian and Pacific Island police overseas on peacekeeping and capacity development operations for both the AFP and the United Nations. Since it was established in February 2004, the International Deployment Group has played a vital role in meeting ongoing regional security requirements and has members deployed to Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cyprus, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and the United Nations.
The goal of the International Deployment Group is to provide leadership within the Law and Justice sector in the delivery of offshore law enforcement initiatives. The Group contributes to regional stability and security on behalf of the Government of Australia by contributing to offshore law enforcement initiatives and participating in capacity development programs within the Law and Justice Sector.
Assistant Commissioner Prendergast currently lives in Canberra with his partner Jill. His interests include history, reading, all sports and especially the Carlton Football club.