Protection information
Protection is the progressive and dynamic arm of the Australian Federal Police which is responsible to provide a safe and secure environment for Australian High Office Holders, Internationally Protected Persons, the diplomatic community including visiting Diplomats, those designated Commonwealth establishments in Australia and overseas and, the protection of witnesses under the National Witness Protection Program whose safety is deemed to be at risk.
Roles and opportunities in protection
Protection provides excellent opportunities for both sworn and unsworn members of the AFP to develop and enhance their careers. As a result of the evolving and challenging nature of today's global environment, Protection personnel are consistently challenged to adopt progressive methods and approaches in order to achieve organisational outcomes.
The opportunities available to AFP personnel within Protection include:
- Close Personal Protection (CPP)
- Witness Protection
- Uniform Protection
CPP and Witness Protection are specialist areas within Protection and members are experienced officers having not only completed recruit training but gained additional operational expertise prior to being selected.
CPP members provide protection treatments for Australian High Office Holders, diplomatic and consular personnel, other foreign nationals that the Commonwealth deems to be at risk or whose dignity may be offended. CPP members liaise extensively with client departments and with those for whom they provide protection. As a CPP member you will be rewarded both personally and professionally and you will develop important planning, co-ordination and liaison skills which can be utilised throughout your career.
Witness Protection personnel assist in the planning, implementation and maintenance of strategies to provide participants of the National Witness Protection Program with protection and assistance. Witness Protection personnel work in an environment which can be challenging and rewarding. As a member of this team you will develop high level planning skills and liaison skills which enhance you future career prospects both within this team and the organisation.
Uniform Protection provides protective security for Commonwealth Government facilities and personnel in a variety of locations throughout Australia and in some overseas locations. In order to become a Protective Service Officer applicants are required to successfully undertake a residential recruit course in Canberra. The practical component of the course includes firearms training, defensive tactics (batons and handcuffs), crowd control (batons and shields) and team building exercises. Uniform Protection officers undertake a critical role in protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure and assist in providing protective security for Australian High Office Holders, diplomatic and consular personnel, other foreign nationals.
In choosing a career within Protection you will be rewarded with various opportunities and will be supported by mechanisms which will ensure that you are rewarded both professionally and personally. Protection provides for a progressive and dynamic working environment in which personnel are challenged to develop themselves and their roles.