Management of Serious Crime Program

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Management of Serious Crime Program

• Australia's leading forum for investigators of serious crime
• Vision and Philosophy
• Who participates?
• What is serious crime?
• MOSC then and now
• IMOSC - the international program
• The MOSC team
• MOSC Assessment
• How to apply
• Contact MOSC

Australia's leading forum for investigators of serious crime

The Management of Serious Crime (MOSC) program is Australia's highest level training course for:

• the sharing of the skills, strategies and techniques needed for dealing with serious crime
• the sharing of information about the new and ongoing challenges and issues raised by serious crime
• the creation of collaborative national and international networks to overcome serious crime.

Each of MOSC's three annual courses is based on a current policing issue. Presenters and keynote speakers are drawn from Australia and overseas. They represent a wide range of expertise, and provides the unique opportunity for face-to-face interaction for all MOSC participants.

The program deals with management practices as they apply to the investigation of serious crime. The emphasis is on practical ideas for an operational environment.

The program examines and challenges conventional attitudes to the day-to-day applications of lateral and critical thinking, negotiation, communication, and team building theory.

Sessions analysing critical operational reviews, accountability, and the specific leadership issues faced by investigation managers are presented during the program.

MOSC gives law enforcement practitioners the opportunity to establish lasting relationships with people from many international and local agencies.

Vision and Philosophy

Vision

To promote a continued commitment to investigational excellence by creating a national and international law enforcement practitioners' network.

Philosophy

MOSC is dedicated to providing an appropriate forum for senior investigational managers to share their skills and experiences in the management and leadership of serious and complex criminal matters.

Who participates?

The multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency MOSC program attracts a wide range of people involved in the fight against serious crime. Amongst the participants are:

• senior law enforcement practitioners who lead and manage serious crime investigations with AFP and State and Territory agencies
• members of international police services
• members of Commonwealth investigative agencies such as the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
• members of other government agencies with an interest in serious crime
• parties with an interest in the theme of a particular course.

More than 800 law enforcement officers have completed a MOSC program. These graduates continue to share their skills and experiences in the management and leadership of serious crime investigations.

What is serious crime?

A serious crime is characterised by one or more of the following factors:

• serious offences against persons, property or government
• organised criminal activity
• significant political or public interest
• crimes with are multi-jurisdictional in nature
• investigations which involve a large number of documents or exhibits
• investigations which require the commitment of substantial funding or resources.

MOSC then and now

The MOSC program was established in 1991 under the administration of the AFP, with the support of the Australasian Crime Commissioner's Forum (ACCF). As the first investigational forum for senior law enforcement officers, the objective of the MOSC program was to share information and create networks to better combat serious crime.

In the years since its inception, the MOSC program has built a reputation for providing challenging and rewarding training in a 'mistake friendly' and supportive environment.

A comprehensive review of the MOSC program in 1998 led to the development of a curriculum based on the Australasian Policing Competency Standards. An assessment framework was also implemented, with all aspects of the program informing the assessment process. The final assessment provides each participant and their senior executive with a picture of strengths and performances across a diverse range of criteria.

In 2001, the forum established the MOSC Advisory Board (MAB). The MAB consists of a nominated police member from each Australian jurisdiction who advises on matters including:

• the selection of presenters
• the development of content
• themes
• case studies
• reviews.
  

IMOSC - the international program

The International Management of Serious Crime (IMOSC)

The first IMOSC program - IMOSC 1 - was held in Vanuatu in 1999. It grew out of a need to take a cooperative, international approach to serious crime. Its underlying objectives were to introduce international law enforcement practitioners to the trans-national nature of many crimes, and to foster cooperation between international agencies in multi-jurisdictional investigations.

MOSC Directing Staff conduct two international programs each year - one in Singapore which is funded by the Law Enforcement Cooperation Program (LECP), and another in Semarang, Indonesia at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation.

Investigation Management Workshop (IMW) and Major Investigation Management Program (MIMP)

The IMW and MIMP are country specific programs which are conducted over one week. The purpose of both programs is to provide Senior Team Leaders with the framework and knowledge to plan and manage major investigations.

Both programs assist investigation managers to develop a greater understanding of leadership and management roles within complex, protracted, or multi-jurisdictional investigations. They also help to familiarise participants with 'best practice' tools for the planning, co-ordination and management of such investigations.

The IMW is a non-assessable workshop where, upon completion, participants are awarded with an AFP College Attendance Certificate.

Participants attending the MIMP must complete and be assessed against all assessment events and participate fully in the allocated syndicate work and presentations. They are awarded an AFP Certificate of Completion.

The MOSC Team

The MOSC Team comprises Coordinator MOSC (CMOSC), five senior program facilitators and two project officers. A Senior Officer MOSC (SOMOSC) and a Visiting Fellow join the team for each program.

The role of CMOSC during each program is to:

• manage the MOSC Team
• provide support, advice and feedback to the SOMOSC on all aspects of the program
• maintain strategic relationships with the MOSC Program's law enforcement partners to contribute to the overall outcomes of each program.

The Program Manager (a role which is rotated within the MOSC Team amongst the senior program facilitators) maintains overall responsibility for all components of the program, including:

• development of the program
• liaison with guest presenters
• management of contracted presenters
• delivery of the program.

Project Officers perform an essential and varied role within the MOSC Team, ranging from administrative support to project management.

The AFP concept of working in a team is strongly embraced by the MOSC Team, where open communication, sharing of tasks and open and honest feedback are essential.

MOSC Assessment

MOSC training is centered on individual development, both personal and professional. Participants are assessed against a range of criteria on a number of tasks in a variety of situations. The criteria against which participants are assessed include:

• strategic and lateral thinking, including conceptual and analytical skills
• initiative and judgment
• industry knowledge and application
• written communication skills
• oral communication skills
• participation and teamwork
• management and leadership
• the ability to apply the concepts and philosophies introduced during the program.

Participants are assessed on the following phases of the program:

• Workshop Phase
• Individual Presentation
• Simulation
• Strategic Crime Management Initiative (SCMI)
• Outdoor Exercise
• Overall Performance.

How to apply

AFP Participants

The selection of AFP participants for MOSC and IMOSC programs is facilitated by the Coordinator Executive Development. To participate you need to be a senior police or law enforcement manager who has had investigative experience and who is likely to lead, manage, or co-ordinate a serious crime investigation.

An Expression of Interest is circulated to all members via email in September/October each year. You are able to nominate which program/s is of interest to you. You must provide an overview of your current role, experience and career aspirations. Your application must be supported by your supervisor, Coordinator and/or Manager and your National Manager.

The Executive Development Committee selects the successful applicants.

Other Law Enforcement Officers

Approximately three months before the commencement of each program, the AFP Commissioner will send a letter of invitation to your Commissioner or Head of Agency. Please contact the office of your Commissioner/Assistant Commissioner Crime for specific details.

International Participants

International participants are funded by the Law Enforcement Cooperation Program (LECP). Selections from those countries invited to attend each program are made by LECP in consultation with the Manager International Network. Once selections are made, the AFP Liaison Network extends an invitation to the relevant agency requesting the nomination of an officer who meets the MOSC selection criteria.

Please note, international participants are required to prove English proficiency to the IELTS 6 standard. Further information regarding specific selection criteria can be requested via the email address below.

Contact MOSC