iscover
Share this article on:
Powered by
MOMENTUM
MEDIA
The AFP has announced a restructure to combat the growing threat of cyber crime and “other tech-enabled criminality”.
The restructure has also promoted an unprecedented number of women into senior roles in the agency.
The move gives the AFP four deputy commissioners. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw is now backed up by Deputy Commissioner for National Security Ian McCartney, acting Deputy Commissioner for Crime Grant Nicholls, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan, and Deputy Commissioner for International and Specialist Capabilities Command Lesa Gale.
Deputy Commissioner Gale is the second woman to be promoted to the position. Part of her remit will work on the AFP’s international partners, with a special focus on the Pacific region. Before taking on her new role, Deputy Commissioner Gale was the assistant commissioner for Northern Command and was responsible for the AFP’s Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
A number of other women in the AFP have been promoted to assistant commissioner, now making up 39 per cent of the AFP’s executive.
“This restructure comes as the AFP’s remit continues to increase, in part driven by the complexity of cyber crime and other tech-enabled criminality,’’ Commissioner Kershaw said in an announcement.
“Comprehensive legislative frameworks, including a number of national security laws passed since 2001, have cemented the AFP’s responsibility to keep Australians safe and protect Australia’s way of life.
“Crime and national security responsibilities have been split to reflect the growing criminal threat, which has been exacerbated by geopolitics and COVID-19.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Nicholls, who was previously the assistant commissioner for learning and development, will take responsibility for managing crime and cyber strategies and similar policy matters for the AFP.
Deputy Commissioner McCartney will head up discussion on Australia’s national security frameworks, including counter-terrorism, as well as aviation, protection and security. McCartney was previously deputy commissioner for investigations, which had a strong cyber crime remit.
Deputy Commissioner Gaughan will continue to head up the agency’s operations in the ACT and other external territories.
“Every day, the people of the AFP are working to keep Australians safe. The restructure and promotions will allow the AFP to continue to deliver maximum damage to the criminal environment and remain a step ahead,” Commissioner Kershaw said today (22 March).
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
Be the first to hear the latest developments in the cyber industry.
