The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is an independent statutory authority whose functions are set out in section 8 of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (the AFP Act). The AFP is also guided by Ministerial Direction, issued under the AFP Act.
Under section 8 of the AFP Act, the AFP is responsible for:
- the provision of police and other services, such as protective and custodial functions, in relation to Commonwealth laws and interests (related to Outcome 1 below)
- the provision of police services in relation to the Australian Capital Territory (related to Outcome 2 below).
The AFP has a number of related programs by which it intends to achieve the outcomes below.
Specific objectives and deliverables for each program are identified, along with appropriations, as part of the Attorney-General's Portfolio Budget Statement (PBS). A PDF of the PBS from each financial year is available from the Attorney-General's Department Budgets webpage.
The AFP Annual Report provides a summary of achievements against the goals and targets set in the PBS. A PDF of the report is available from the AFP's annual reports webpage.
Our two outcomes are:
Outcome 1
Reduced criminal and security threats to Australia's collective economic and societal interests through co-operative policing services.
In accordance with the Government's endorsement of the recommendations of the Federal Audit of Police Capabilities, the AFP reviewed its program structure in consultation with the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Finance. In order to provide greater efficiency and operational flexibility, the AFP's outcome and program structure was realigned for the 2010–11 Budget, with four programs under Outcome 1 and one program under Outcome 2.
This new structure is aligned with the objectives of Operation Sunlight and recognises:
- the scope for operational efficiencies and associated savings
- the scope for greater flexibility to absorb changing future priorities
- the increased transparency that will flow from the development of agreed performance measures.
The four programs under Outcome 1 are:
Program 1.1 – National Security – Policing
- includes Aviation, Protection and Counter Terrorism functions
- focused on prevention and disruption of criminal activity impacting on national security
Program 1.2 – International Deployments
- focused on improving regional and international security, stability and governance
Program 1.3 – Operations – Policing
- focused on the prevention and disruption of serious and organised crime and crimes against the Commonwealth
- incorporates the International Network and the Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce
Program 1.4 – Close Operational Support
- supports the three operational programs (1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 above)
- includes Operations Support, Intelligence, Forensics and Data Centres, and High Tech Crime Operations functions
- provides coordination and communications support, intelligence services, forensic science and specialist services, technical intelligence services, specialist support (such as surveillance and telecommunications interception), and investigative capability and prevention activity focussed on technology enabled crime.
Outcome 2
A safe and secure environment through policing activities on behalf of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government.
The AFP provides community policing services to the ACT community under contract with the ACT Government. The objectives of this outcome are defined by the Purchase Agreement between the AFP and the ACT Government for the provision of police services and is renegotiated annually.
The current objectives are to ensure:
- a level of public order and community confidence which enables people to go safely about their lawful pursuits
- the incidence and impact of crime are minimised through effective investigations
- road safety is maximised in the ACT
- the adverse impact of public emergencies/disasters and risk associated with major events is limited
- prosecution and judicial processes are effectively supported
- the regulatory requirements and information needs of clients are satisfied.
More information about ACT Policing's business direction and targets can be found on the ACT Policing website.