AFP Profile - Brad Wallace – Counter Terrorism First Response (Alice Springs Airport)
“If you’re driven, career orientated and want to develop yourself, career opportunities are always there at the end of the day.”
Protective Service Officer Brad Wallace is the Officer-In-Charge of the Alice Springs Airport Counter Terrorism First Response Unit.
Currently occupying the position of team leader, Brad’s role is to provide leadership and support to Counter Terrorism First Response (CTFR) personnel on location at Alice Springs Airport, whilst also liaising and providing support to the Airport Police Commander.
Brad’s interest in the AFP stemmed from his father who also worked in the organisation. “Positions were advertised in the Alice Springs newspaper; I applied and won a position”.
“I started my career as a Protective Service Officer (PSO) at Pine Gap in 1998. I particularly enjoyed the job and the variety of opportunities that existed. I was very impressed with the AFP as an organisation, this is evidenced by the fact that I have chosen to stay and pursue my career”.
Since then, Brad has taken up positions at both Sydney and Melbourne Airports, working as a Shift Supervisor and Senior Protective Service Officer respectively. In between Brad also worked on Nauru during the Tampa Crisis where he assisted asylum seekers off the Menora.
The AFP has provided Brad with some interesting experiences. Namely, two overseas postings to the Solomon Islands in which he learnt to speak the local language and connect with the local people, some of whom were militia members that were being prosecuted at the time.
“I definitely enjoyed the cultural experience and working with the people over their. I loved working in the Solomon Islands and would certainly go back there again. I really enjoyed work that was challenging and required long, hard work in a volatile environment”.
The CTFR is a constantly changing and evolving area which has meant challenges along the way. The amalgamation between the Australian Protective Service and the AFP has meant big changes for Protective Service members in regards to how they do their job and interact with other members. According to Brad, the change has had a positive impact on its members. “The re-integration of the Australian Protective Service with the AFP has opened up a lot of opportunities for us to expand on. The re-integration has allowed us to experience a greater number of deployments, both nationally and internationally”.
Brad contributes his career to a few exceptional role models within the AFP. “Being a member of the Malunggang Indigenous Officers Network (MION) has helped me with the working methodology of the AFP. I also believe that there have been a few Senior Protective Service Officers who have guided and mentored me into the position that I am in today”.
Ever the perfectionist, Brad’s goal is to develop both personally and professionally. Looking at the broad career options available keeps him well rounded and ensures that he continues to perform his role at a high standard.
Job stability, working in a professional environment, and taking a strong lead in the fight against 21st century crime, are all factors that have kept Brad with the AFP. “I enjoy working in Aviation and hopefully years down the track I will still be with the AFP”.