Addendum to the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Defence and Trade's report on Australia's involvement in
peacekeeping operations
This addendum to the
committee's report on Australia's involvement in peacekeeping operations
clarifies a statement made in the report regarding the Australian
Federal Police's Operational Response Group. The committee noted that
this group encompasses around 200 personnel, including an operational
arm of 150 which is split into a group of approximately 50 tactical
operators—the traditional SWAT members —and a group of around 100 who
are trained to a certain level to deal with mass demonstrations.[1]
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) advised the committee that this
group of 100 has a 'less lethal' capability as distinct from a lethal
capability as stated in the report.
To clarify the meaning
of 'less lethal', the AFP has provided the following definition:
Use of Force in the
Australian Federal Police is governed by Commissioner’s Order 3 (CO 3).
CO 3 provides the guidance on 'less lethal' options in the context of
them being endorsed as a use of force option available to AFP members.
'Less Lethal'—refers to those use of force actions, including the
application of munitions—that when applied correctly would probably not
result in death. It is therefore important to note that the intent of
the application of force or the use of munitions is non-lethal.
'Less Lethal' options are
considered and approved by the AFP Operational Safety Committee.[2]
Senator Mark Bishop
Chair
[1]
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade,
Australia's involvement in peacekeeping operations, August 2008,
paragraph 10.14.
[2]
Correspondence to the committee from the Peace Operations &
Doctrine, International Deployment Group, Australian Federal Police,
22 September 2008.
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia