Australia’s top cop, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, has been reappointed for a further two years.
Mr Kershaw was first appointed in October 2019, coming to the federal force following a stint as the Northern Territory police commissioner.
“This is my 10th year of being a police commissioner, and while the AFP has achieved extraordinary results, we have never been more resolute in entrenching those outcomes to help keep Australians safe and protect Australia’s interests,’’ Mr Kershaw said.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced on Friday that Mr Kershaw’s term would be extended until October 2026.
“Commissioner Kershaw has made an extraordinary contribution to our community with a policing career spanning more than 30 years,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“His contribution to law enforcement in Australia reflects the highest standards of the AFP values of integrity, commitment, excellence, accountability, fairness, trust and respect.”
During Mr Kershaw’s time in the top job, the AFP has made more than $45bn worth of drug seizures, and he said he was intent on dismantling high-level organised crime.
The AFP was instrumental in Operation Ironside – a global organised crime sting that used the encrypted ANOM application.
“Next month marks the third anniversary of Operation Ironside, the biggest organised crime disruption in the southern hemisphere,’’ Mr Kershaw said.
“Operation Ironside has severely weakened organised crime in this country and those who target Australia from offshore.”
To date, 392 people have been charged with more than 2300 offences under the operation.
Mr Kershaw also described the protection of young people, through the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, as a top priority.
Over the last four years, the AFP has charged more than 748 people with 6487 child-exploitation-related offences.
Under Operation Dolos – a multi-agency task force – investigators have returned $65m to victims of cybercriminals.