AFP Commissioner formally hands over leadership of Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group
The AFP has formally handed over the leadership of the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group (FELEG) to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI).
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said he was honoured to have been the group’s chair for the past two years and was confident that under the leadership of ICE/HSI, FELEG would continue to be among the first lines of defence in guarding the rule of law and keeping citizens safe.
“Recent world events make FELEG as relevant today as it was at the time of its inception, however, I would argue FELEG has never been more important,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
“That is because global instability is helping to fuel and embolden organised crime; criminals have weaponised technology and have become ruthlessly efficient at finding victims, and state actors and citizens from some nations are using our countries at the expense of our sovereignty and economies.
“Moreover, the world has never been smaller. Criminals are no longer bound by, or deterred by, state borders.
“FELEG is a key alliance in helping to keep Australia and all our regions safe, protecting democracy and the rule of law around the world.”
Formed following its transition from the Law Enforcement Strategic Alliance Group, FELEG includes representatives from the AFP, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, ICE/HSI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the U.K. National Crime Agency and New Zealand Police.
Commissioner Kershaw, who hosted FELEG partners in Sydney last year (2022) and Melbourne this year (2023), highlighted the sharing of intelligence and capabilities as some of the assets that enabled FELEG to combat transnational criminal threats.
“The message and forecast are clear. Five Eyes is doing more than just watching. We will be able to disrupt earlier and prevent targets from taking a foothold in our countries,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
ICE/HSI formally assumed the chair of FELEG this month (14 October, 2023) at the conclusion of the FELEG Principals’ Plenary Panel on Innovation and Collaboration at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition in San Diego, California.
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