Regional rapid-deployment teams
Regional rapid-deployment teams deliver the AFP's counter-terrorist first response function at Australia's regional airports. Regional rapid-deployment teams are a highly visible presence at regional airports, responding to emerging situations and conducting airside and landside patrols. Teams consist of up to eight protective service officers, and include a bomb appraisal officer and a firearms and explosives detection team comprised of one handler and one dog. They are mobile teams, conducting both regular and short notice patrols to regional airports. Patrols may be routine, intelligence-driven or threat-based.
Counter-terrorist first response is a coordinated approach to deterring and responding to threats of terror.
Active deterrence activities may include firearms and explosives detection checks on passenger luggage, or targeted sweeps of airport areas to search for improvised explosives devices.
Regional rapid-deployment teams complement security processes already in place at regional airports.
Teams work closely with State and Territory law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to routine deployments and a coordinated response to aviation incidents. Community policing remains the responsibility of State and Territory police services at regional airports.
Background
The Federal Government's 'Securing our Regional Skies' initiative provided $20.7 million over five years for the introduction of four regional rapid-deployment teams.
Regional rapid-deployment teams complement the AFP's unified policing presence at Australia's eleven major airports.
The AFP presence at major airports enables a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing criminality and terrorist threats in the aviation sector through:
- Airport Police Commanders, police aviation liaison officers, joint airport intelligence groups, counter-terrorist first response teams and airport uniform police at all 11 major airports.
- Joint airport investigation teams at five international airports