The establishment of the Australian Federal Police under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 was carried out in two stages. On the day the Act received Royal Assent, 15 June 1979, sections 1,2,4 and 6, Division 1 of Part 1V and sections 28 and 70 came into operation. The remaining provisions of the Act came into operation at midnight on 19 October 1979.

The Government had approved in principle the creation of the single federal police force, incorporating the ACT. and Commonwealth Police Forces in July 1978. This was the main recommendation of Sir Robert Mark's Report on the organisation of Police Resources in the Commonwealth area following the Hilton Hotel, Sydney bomb explosion during an international conference at which the Federal Government was host.

The Minister for Administrative Services, Mr McLeay, announced on 8 May 1979 that the Commonwealth Government had decided that Sir Colin Woods, KCVO,CBE, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales, would be Commissioner-Designate of the Australian Federal Police. On 10 August 1979 it was announced that the Executive Council had appointed Sir Colin, Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police on 9 August 1979 and that Sir Colin would take up the appointment on 1 September 1979.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.E. Kennedy, formerly the ACT Police Commissioner, was sworn in on 27 September 1979.

As set out in Section 8 of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979, the functions of the Australian Federal Police are:

(a) the provision of police services in relation to the Australian Capital Territory;

(b) the provision of police services in relation to -

(i) laws of the Commonwealth;

(ii) property of the Commonwealth (including Commonwealth places) and property of authorities of the Commonwealth; and

(iii) the safeguarding of Commonwealth interests;

(c) to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of the foregoing functions.

The Act provides for an establishment of:

(a) the Commissioner of Police;

(b) a Deputy Commissioner of Deputy Commissioners of Police;

(c) commissioned and non-commissioned police officers (performing general police functions); and

(d) commissioned and non-commissioned protective service officers (performing police protective service functions).

Under the Act, the Commissioner of Police is responsible for the general administration and control of the Australian Federal Police. The Minister may direct the general policy in relation to the performance of the Force's functions.

The Act also provides for the provision or development of common services (such as computer systems, forensic science laboratories, research and planning systems and training institutions) between the Australian Federal Police and the police force of each State.

The Commonwealth Police Act 1957 was repealed on 19 October 1979.

The Australian Protective Service (APS) became an operating division of the Australian Federal Police on 1 July 2002. After this date the APS continues to function as under the provisions of the Australian Protective Service Act 1987 and the Australian Protective Service Act as amended in 2002.

References

Press Release, Minister for Administrative Services, 13 Dec 1978

Media Releases, Minister for Administrative Services, 8 May 1979; 10 Aug 1979

The Canberra Times, 16 Feb 1979, p 1; 22 May 1979, p 10; 28 Sep 1979, p 3; 19 Oct 1979, p 3

Historical agency address

by 1980- : National Mutual Centre, Darwin Place, Canberra City

Legislation administered

Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Acts, No. 58 of 1979, Australia Federal Police Act 1979

Agency controlled unregistered

Australian Federal Police, General Policing Division (Australian
 Capital Territory), 1979-
Australian Federal Police, South-Eastern Division (Criminal
 Investigation), Australian Capital Territory,1979-