The Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS) is the unified investigative arm of the
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Forc ...
's
Joint Military Police Unit
The Joint Military Police Unit (formerly the Joint Service Police Group) is the unified military police agency of the Australian Defence Force. The Joint Military Police Unit is led by the Provost Marshal who reports to the Chief of Joint Capa ...
. Initially formed in 2007 as a part of the
service police
In the United Kingdom, the term military police refers to the three branches of the service police. Often, the term 'military police' is considered synonymous with the Army's Royal Military Police, but in fact, has a wider context. There are a nu ...
until its amalgamation into the
Joint Military Police Force at the beginning of 2020. ADFIS was responsible for complex and major disciplinary and criminal investigations involving the Australian Defence Force (ADF), its assets, land, personnel and capability.
ADFIS is a tri-service unit that was manned by specialised service police personnel who are qualified to undertake investigations of serious and unique nature. As the successor to the previously active single-service police investigation units which it absorbed, it is manned by military police officers from the
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...
's
Naval Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
,
Australian Army
The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (Austral ...
's
Military Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
and the
Royal Australian Air Force
"Through Adversity to the Stars"
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's
Air Force Police.
History
Prior to the formation of ADFIS, each of the three service's police entities in the
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Forc ...
were responsible for maintaining their own general duties and investigative law enforcement functions. While each service would maintain its general duties personnel manning requirements separate to investigators, the investigations arm within each of the single-service police organisations were:
*
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...
- Naval Police Naval Investigative Service (NIS)
*
Australian Army
The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (Austral ...
- Military Police Special Investigations Branch (SIB)
*
Royal Australian Air Force
"Through Adversity to the Stars"
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, march =
, mascot =
, anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
- RAAF Security Police Service Investigations (SI)
From as early as 1998, multiple inquiries have been conducted into the Australian military justice system, the ADF's investigative capability, and the ability of ADF
service police
In the United Kingdom, the term military police refers to the three branches of the service police. Often, the term 'military police' is considered synonymous with the Army's Royal Military Police, but in fact, has a wider context. There are a nu ...
as a whole to perform their role effectively. On 16 June 2005 the Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee released a report titled 'The Effectiveness of Australia's Military Justice System'.
This report would go on to make a number of recommendations which would, in turn, spark the ADF to commence its own internal audit on its investigative capability.
In July 2006, the ADF released the report 'Report on an Audit of the Australian Defence Force Investigative Capability'.
Both this report and the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee's report identified and addressed institutionalised and widespread issues amongst the service police organisations, including under-staffing, inadequate training, lack of resources, lack of engagement with civilian police agencies and other entities in the military justice system, poor direction and leadership, just to name a few.
Both reports identified the need for a tri-service ADF investigative capability in order to consolidate personnel, effort and resources into one location. In light of these recommendations, the position of the Provost Marshal - ADF (PM-ADF) was formed under ADF HQ and outside of the single-service chains of command. On 16 May 2007, a new organisation under the name of the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service would be formed with the PM-ADF as its commander.
The formation of ADFIS saw the end to single-service dedicated investigative capabilities in the ADF, hence the Naval Investigative Service and Army SIB ceased to exist. The then
RAAF Security Police would have its investigative elements transitioned to ADFIS,
while continuing to provide uniformed organic security and general policing services to the Air Force, under Air Force command. The
Naval Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
and
Military Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
would continue to provide uniformed general policing and law enforcement to the Navy and Army respectively, also under their single-service commands.
Functions and responsibilities
By doctrine, the role of ADFIS was to assist the
Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and service chiefs in maintaining discipline in the ADF through the lawful, ethical and effective investigation of matters involving persons subject to the
Defence Force Discipline Act 1982.
In the 'Establishment of the Interim Australian Defence Force Investigative Service' (''
CDF Directive No 07/2007''), ADFIS' functions were described as:
*Inquire into matters involving Defence members and Defence civilians and collect relevant material to a standard acceptable for use, if required, by competent ADF and civilian authorities
*Maintain a Service Police Central Records Office (SPCRO) with the capability to inform
CDF,
VCDF, the service chiefs and other authorities (by request) of results and trends in overall ADF and single-service discipline and investigation matters
*Maintain a police intelligence capability to support ADF and single-service investigations and operations and take effective crime prevention measures
*Monitor developments in Australian civil and allied military law enforcement in order to adjust ADFIS policy and procedures as required to maintain best investigative practice and standards
*Facilitate enhanced cooperation with relevant government departments or organisations, in particular federal, state and territory police agencies
*Provide support to the PM-ADF in undertaking policy, doctrine, training representational and general policing-related activity
ADFIS' investigative and operational responsibilities include:
*Investigation of service offences
*Assistance to
CDF commissions of inquiry
*Support to operations as directed by
CDF
*Forensic or other support to investigations conducted by other
DIAs
*Any matters directed by the
CDF
Organisational structure
The initial construct of ADFIS saw an ADFIS HQ element based out of Canberra that reported to the Office of the Provost Marshal ADF. ADFIS HQ would maintain administrative-related departments focused on personnel management and training, as well as policy and doctrine development. It would also maintain the Service Police Intelligence Office (SPIO) and the Service Police Central Records Office (SPCRO) for the entire
ADF service police
In the United Kingdom, the term military police refers to the three branches of the service police. Often, the term 'military police' is considered synonymous with the Army's Royal Military Police, but in fact, has a wider context. There are a nu ...
capability, until both SPIO and SPCRO would be transferred to the Joint Service Police Group (later renamed the
Joint Military Police Unit
The Joint Military Police Unit (formerly the Joint Service Police Group) is the unified military police agency of the Australian Defence Force. The Joint Military Police Unit is led by the Provost Marshal who reports to the Chief of Joint Capa ...
) in 2017.
Under an operations element, ADFIS would maintain four regional HQ elements around Australia:
*HQ Eastern Region (NSW/ACT)
*HQ Northern Region (QLD)
*HQ Western/Central Region (WA/NT)
*HQ Southern Region (VIC)
Within each region would be multiple Joint Investigations Offices (JIOs). A JIO would consist of a 'JIO Commander', normally a Warrant Officer Class 2 (or Navy/RAAF equivalent rank), and a team of investigators. JIOs would be situated on Navy, Army and Air Force installations around the country in more prominent ADF areas, with the JIO itself often co-located at or near the general duties service police station for the garrison of its location.
Most permanent ADFIS JIOs were located in mainland Australia. One main exception to this was the Joint Investigations Office - Butterworth, which was located on the
Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth in Penang, Malaysia. RMAF Butterworth is home to multiple permanent ADF units,
hence its requirement for a permanent Australian service police presence.
Selection and training
Selection to attend the Australian Defence Force Investigators Course (ADFIC) was based on preference as well as merit within current posted unit and position. Although not always required, most people that would attend the Investigators course would be currently serving General Duties
service police
In the United Kingdom, the term military police refers to the three branches of the service police. Often, the term 'military police' is considered synonymous with the Army's Royal Military Police, but in fact, has a wider context. There are a nu ...
personnel from the three individual service police organisations. Although ADFIS was a tri-service unit, career progression requirements still remained a single-service police organisation responsibility. This meant that
Naval Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
,
Military Police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
and
Air Force Police personnel all had varying pre-requisites and requirements in terms of time in service, experience and minimum rank needed to attend the course.
In most circumstances, an individual would express their interest in attending ADFIC, before performing on-the-job training and being deemed suitable by an ADFIS team. Once deemed suitable, the individual would attend the course at the
Defence Force School of Policing (Australia). Upon completion of the course, members were awarded a
Diploma
A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offici ...
in Government Investigations, a civilian recognised qualification in Australia. This allowed ADFIS investigators to possess the skills and training to be on par with their civilian counterparts.
Dress and insignia
Standard dress within ADFIS varied based on the duties and tasks being completed by an investigator at any given time. Within Australia, it was fairly common for investigators to simply wear a suit or similar business attire,
much how a civilian police detective would in the course of their duties. The benefit afforded to investigators of wearing business attire while performing investigative police functions within the military is the 'removal of the uniform' or the promoted differentiation between investigators and other military personnel that they investigate. This is especially useful when an investigator of subordinate rank is required to interview an individual of greater rank, due to the interviewee not necessarily viewing the investigator as a military subordinate but rather an impartial police member.
When required to wear a uniform in a barracks/garrison environment, single service dress standards would apply.
This would equate to the standard barracks camouflage uniform of each service that any other sailor, soldier or airman would wear, with the RACMP Corps beret for investigators belonging to Army as members of the
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (RACMP) is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps. It is responsible for battlefield traff ...
. Personnel would wear the standard ANF/single-service ensign on their left sleeve, with the ADFIS identification arm patch (IAP) being worn on the right sleeve of the uniform irrespective of service. The ADFIS IAP contained the letters "ADFIS" in black on an orange background and was about 7.5cm in width and 5.5cm in height to fit the Army and Air Force standard patch size, and slightly wider for the Navy to fit the Navy uniform patch size.
A subdued variant of the ADFIS identification arm patch was created and matched the standard IAP however contained the "ADFIS" lettering in black on a tan background instead of orange. This patch was designed for wear in the field environment or overseas on operations where field or combat orders of dress were required to be worn by investigators due to the nature of their given tasks or operational requirements.
All ADFIS investigators carried a wallet badge which was generally issued at the completion of the Australian Defence Force Investigators Course and upon taking up a posting in an investigator position within ADFIS. The badge was metal with blue enamel behind the text and came in a leather wallet accompanied by an ID card identifying the individual possessing it as an investigator within ADFIS. The badge was standard throughout ADFIS and was issued to all investigators irrespective of service or rank. Upon retiring or leaving ADFIS, members could request to keep their badge as a token of memorabilia.
Equipment and vehicles
While conducting their duties, investigators would normally carry the standard Saflok MKIV
handcuffs
Handcuffs are Physical restraint, restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists in proximity to each other. They comprise two parts, linked together by a Link chain, chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each cuff has a rotating arm whi ...
and
ASP expandable baton
A baton (also known as a truncheon or nightstick) is a roughly cylindrical club made of wood, rubber, plastic, or metal. It is carried as a compliance tool and defensive weapon by law-enforcement officers, correctional staff, security guards ...
issued to all
ADF service police
In the United Kingdom, the term military police refers to the three branches of the service police. Often, the term 'military police' is considered synonymous with the Army's Royal Military Police, but in fact, has a wider context. There are a nu ...
for operational use. While wearing business attire, this equipment would generally be carried in leather 'detective-styled' pouches that would attach directly to their pant belt.
Like all other ADF service police personnel from the time period of its existence, ADFIS investigators did not routinely carry firearms while on duty domestically in Australia.
ADFIS investigators would generally be allocated and utilise unmarked vehicles in the course of their duties. Purpose-built vehicles would come outfitted with fixed red and blue lights in the dash, front grille, rear deck or rear number plate areas depending on application, as well as sirens. In line with most service fleet vehicles, they would often be white or silver and would have standard ADF military number plates. The benefit to this system was any standard unmarked service fleet vehicle could be utilised by investigators for temporary unmarked police duties by simply utilising removable red and blue dash-mounted lights or other temporary emergency lighting systems.
Transition to JMPF
In January 2020, the raising of the
Joint Military Police Unit
The Joint Military Police Unit (formerly the Joint Service Police Group) is the unified military police agency of the Australian Defence Force. The Joint Military Police Unit is led by the Provost Marshal who reports to the Chief of Joint Capa ...
occurred after a First Principles review into the ADF's service police commenced in 2017. After 13 years of service, ADFIS was officially amalgamated into the Joint Military Police Force (within the
Joint Military Police Unit
The Joint Military Police Unit (formerly the Joint Service Police Group) is the unified military police agency of the Australian Defence Force. The Joint Military Police Unit is led by the Provost Marshal who reports to the Chief of Joint Capa ...
), to form its operational investigative component.
See also
*
Military police
Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...
*
Royal Australian Corps of Military Police
The Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (RACMP) is a corps within the Australian Army. Previously known as the Australian Army Provost Corps, it was formed on 3 April 1916 as the ANZAC Provost Corps. It is responsible for battlefield traff ...
*
Joint Military Police Unit (Australia)
*
Law enforcement in Australia
Law enforcement in Australia is one of the three major components of the country's justice system, along with courts and corrections. Law enforcement officers are employed by all three levels of government – federal, state/territory, and loc ...
References
Further reading
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