True Blue Magazine
True Blue Magazine
The United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of Australia, (UNOPAA) is an Australian incorporated, non-profit organisation, whose members are both serving or retired Police Officers from Police Forces throughout Australia, who have served or are serving with United Nation Peacekeeping Forces or AFP International Policing Operations throughout the world! TRUE BLUE is provided to its members throughout Australia and worldwide to where Australian Police are serving. Our magazine contains welfare, legislative and social information relevant to the well-being and camaraderie of UNOPAA members who have, or are serving in Australia’s National Interest.
Aims of the UNOPAA:
1. To maintain and foster the memory of UNOPAA members killed whilst serving with United Nations Forces or Overseas Policing operations.
2. To provide welfare, legal and financial support where and when appropriate to members.
3. To promote social occasions such as Reunions, etc., including United Nations and Anzac Day Marches.
4. To pursue and lobby industrial, legal and political avenues, when necessary in order to improve the welfare and industrial benefits to our members.
We acknowledge the assistance of Countrywide Austral Pty Ltd, who, in conjunction with the UNOPAA, have made the publication and distribution of ‘TRUE BLUE’ magazine possible! Your financial contribution to the publication of our magazine is greatly appreciated.
Views and opinions expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of Australia, the editor, the publisher or printer. “True Blue” is published by Countrywide Austral Pty Ltd, Melbourne from funds supplied by advertisers in this magazine. Please support our advertisers and their products.
Rod Walker
True Blue Editor
Email: rod2856@outlook.com
Mobile: 0411 953 966
UNOPAA Contacts
National President
Mr Mick Travers APM
Mobile: 0418 297 086
Email: mt2976@gmail.com
National Vice President
Mr Rod Walker
Mobile: 0411 953 966
Email: rod2856@outlook.com
National Secretary
Mr Steve Neuhaus
Mobile: 0403 060 369
Email: steve.neuhaus6@gmail.com
National Treasurer
Dale Cooper RFD
PO Box 7118 karabar nsw 2620
Mobile: 0418 266 033
Email: unopaa@gmail.com
New South Wales/
Australian Capital Territory
State President: Dale Cooper RFD
PO Box 7118 karabar nsw 2620
Mobile: 0418 266 033
Email: unopaa@gmail.com
Victoria/Tasmania
State President: Paul van Gemert
Mobile: 0431 963 016
Email: paul.vangemert@police.vic.gov.au
Queensland
State President: Neil Behm
Mobile: 0427 872113
Email: neilbehm2@gmail.com
South Australia
State President: Garry Casey
40 Yarrabee Road, Greenhill SA 5140
Tel: 08 8390 3568
Mobile: 0427 188 449
Email: garryecasey@yahoo.com.au
Western Australia
State President: Darcy Boylan
21 Templemore Drive Heathridge WA 6027
Tel: 08 9402 0030
Mobile: 0408 120 299
Email: gdboylan@bigpond.com
Northern Territory
President: Allan Mitchell
5 Eureka Court Anula NT 0812
Tel: 08 8927 2676
Mobile: 0417 804 546
Email: almitch@bigpond.com.au
Proudly published by:
Countrywide Austral Pty Ltd
ABN: 83 146 901 797
Ph: 03 9937 0200
Email: contact@cwaustral.com.au
Australasia’s premier and comprehensive event for emergency management and first responders Conference and Exhibition; over 3 days will focus on delivering products, services and solutions spanning the following collaborations sectors
• Capability: Capability Fleet, Capability PPE, and Capability Equipment
• Workforce: WHS, people systems, and learning and development
• Fire Safety: Building fire safety systems and building standards
• Response Operations: Real-time decision systems, incident management, emerging technologies, communication tools, drones, satellite imagery, GIS, aerial response, field-deployable infrastructure and aerial response
• Community Risk Reduction: Risk reduction strategies, warning systems, and risk management
And so much more.
Delivering solutions to these industry groups:
Fire First Responders / Police / Ambulance
HazMat / Industrial
Resilience / Recovery Mining / Gas & Petroleum Fire Prevention / Built Environment
Pacific representatives from Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New
launch included a flag raising ceremony of all 22 Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) members. Read more about the training programs in this issue.
Cover Photo - AFP and Pacific Police launch Regional Hub and Global Training Centre in Brisbane.
Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga and Vanuatu attended the launch. The
From the Editor’s desk
Greetings from a freezing cold and bleak Canberra in July. I hope you are enjoying your issues of ‘True Blue’.
I try to include as much variety in the articles as possible however, I am dependent on the material I am able to source and what readers/members have provided. With this in mind, it would be fantastic if readers could provide me with some articles for future editions. As Australia’s contribution to peacekeeping etc continues to wane and as we all grow older, it would benefit us all if you could sit at your computers and
In this issue:
Many thanks to Jason Byrnes for supplying articles on:
• A Proposed Peacekeeping Mission to Portuguese Timor in 1975 That Didn’t Eventuate;
• David Chamberlain’s Story on His Experiences in Vemasse, Timor-Leste;
• The New Regional Training Centre Just Outside of Brisbane.
Many members who had their annual membership fees automatically deducted from their bank accounts are confused as we had advised that this wouldn’t continue. It appears the Police Bank (the National UNOPAA’s Bank) hadn’t got ‘all their ducks in a row’ and the automatic deductions occurred on 1st July for some (possibly not all). We suggest that you check your bank accounts to see if the automatic deduction occurred, if so – we have your fees. If not – could you arrange an electronic funds transfer (EFT) for your membership fees. Account details are:
write an article reminiscing on your peacekeeping etc service. Some of you may not have told your families or friends what you have done and experienced whilst contributing to peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, international intervention or capacity building. Why not use True Blue to tell your stories and, in turn, enlighten your family, friends & colleagues. We’re always interested in receiving your stories.
Also:
• Australian and Pacific Police Law Enforcement on Show at the Dubai World Police Summit;
• King’s Birthday Honours;
• International Day of Peacekeepers – Canberra Service;
• An Update on the Perth Reunion to Be Held in 2026;
And much, much more.
BSB: 185000
Account Number: 100185059
Account Name: UNOPAA
Reference: ‘ Your Last Name’
Remember to jot those memories down and send them in to Rod2856@outlook.com Rod Walker
Nobody told me that when you get a husband the ears are sold separately.
UNOPAA Conference Perth
The WA organising committee is pleased to advise that anyone wishing to book accommodation for the event can do so at the Novotel Perth Langley, located on Adelaide Terrace. Website link:
www.idem.events/r/unopaa-f7749366
The venue is located in the heart of Perth, with easy transport options throughout the CBD thanks to the free CAT bus service and complimentary public bus travel within the city zone.
The organising committee is currently planning a range of events to showcase the best of Perth,
OCTOBER 20 – 24, 2026
with details to be shared as the program develops. A dedicated web page is also being created and will be linked to the UNOPPA site, where further updates will be published as arrangements are confirmed. We’re excited and can’t wait to welcome you to Perth, WA in 2026 for memorable event.
2025 Kings Birthday Honours List
AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier Australia Police Medal (APM)
Assistant Commissioner Crozier, whose career with the AFP spans more than 30 years with operational experience across ACT Policing’s general duties and criminal investigations roles, AC Crozier has also deployed internationally to Singapore and Indonesia, and undertaken secondments to the United Nations (Cyprus) and Metropolitan Police Service (United Kingdom).
AC Crozier also continues to lead the AFP’s team undertaking the investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine.
Nick Kaldas APM Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division
Mr Naguib Kaldas APM, NSW. For distinguished service to international and transnational law enforcement, to counter-terrorism leadership, to multiculturalism, and to veterans.
Naguib ‘Nick’ Kaldas has been recognised for over 40 years in policing, investigations, and oversight.
He was Deputy Commissioner for New South Wales Police for a decade, commanding areas of counter terrorism, major investigations, emergency management and community policing.
He went on to lead international investigations and operations in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, UNRWA, the Coalition Provisional Authority (Iraq), and the Joint Investigative Mechanism, investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Unique Artifact Joins Collection
Australian War Memorial Accepts Geoff Hodgson’s Archbishop Makarios’s Car Pennant into the National Collection.
On Wednesday 14th May 2025, I had the honour to represent Geoff Hodgson at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) to act as Geoff’s proxy for the gifting of his ‘unique’ Cyprus souvenir. You may recall in the April edition of True Blue, an article relating to a pennant from Archbishop Makarios’s vehicle which Geoff found on the road in Cyprus after the Archbishop’s motorcade had passed by. Geoff had held on to the pennant for many years and decided it was something that should/could belong in the National Collection of the AWM. As Geoff was unable to travel to Canberra to hand over the pennant, I offered to act on his behalf. To say the curators were blown away with the pennant is a bit of an understatement. “It's not often such a unique artifact is donated” said curator Samuel Fricker.
After I had sent Geoff confirmation of the donation, I received the following from Geoff.
“I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to have my donation accepted be the Australian War Memorial. I really appreciate the fact that you have also sent me the attached photos of the Deed of Gift and photo of the curators. I must be a bit of a softie, as I have a tear in my eyes. You are a firstclass ambassador for our United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of Australia. I hope we can catch up soon, so I can show you my appreciation and have a beer with you. If you wish, you can also publish my sincere wishes to you in our True Blue Magazine. Thanks Geoff – it was an honour.
Rod Walker
Australian War Memorial curators Ailish Schneider and Samuel Fricker accepting the pennant on behalf of the AWM.
Geoff Hodgson with the pennant.
Commemorative Service Address
78th International Day of UN Peacekeepers 29 May 2025.
80 years ago this month, with war still raging in the Pacific and only just ended in Europe, the free nations of the world gathered in San Francisco to draft the United Nations Charter. Their aim was “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and promote “better standards of life in larger freedom”.
Above all, as set out in Article 1 of the Charter, the UN’s purpose was to “maintain international peace and security”. Under Article 45 all Members agreed to make available to the UN Security Council “armed forces, assistance and facilities” for maintaining international peace and security. Thus the notion of peacekeeping was born.
Australia, as a founding member of the United Nations, has provided peacekeepers since the beginning. The first “unofficial” but UN authorised mission was in neighbouring Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) in 1947. Here Australia provided military observers to the UN Good Offices Commission.
The first official missions were the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) – established on this day 29 May in 1948 - and the UN Monitoring Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) established in January 1949, which Australia joined. UNTSO supervised the initial truce between Israel and its Arab neighbours in the conflict in Palestine and UNMOGIP a ceasefire in Kashmir. How sad that both these conflicts are still so live today.
Yet over the intervening decades there have been numerous successful peacekeeping missions – over 70 in all. It has been my privilege to be associated with some of them. The high point for our peacekeeping contributions was perhaps in the 1990s. During that time I was posted to our Mission to the UN in New York, reporting on many.
The UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), whose Force Commander was Australian General John Sanderson, stands out. Australia’s key role in negotiating that peace and supporting its implementation with military, police and civilian personnel was a model mission which brought lasting peace to Cambodia. There followed our contributions in Iraq, Somalia, Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
Our next great effort was in Timor-Leste. There our peacekeepers under General Cosgrove formed the core of a multi-national force which oversaw the birth of a new nation and achieved a lasting peace. In more recent years Australia has played the leading role in regional peace monitoring efforts in Bougainville and Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
Other UN contributions included missions in Cyprus, South Sudan and the DR Congo (MONUSCO). There in various diplomatic roles I have been
(L to R) Peter Baldwin (2nd Contingent Cambodia), Alf Turketto, Shan Rice & Rod Carnall (all members of the 1st contingent Cambodia).
privileged to meet our peacekeepers – military, police and civilian. All were impressive people. While outside the direct UN umbrella our important contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan must also not be forgotten.
It’s easy to remember the great leaders and generals known to many of us, like Sanderson and Cosgrove. But it’s just as important to honour the many ordinary Australian men and women — some here today — who have done extraordinary things on these missions, laying their lives on the line in the cause of peace.
Listed in our program today are some who have lost their lives on those missions. But there are others to remember as well. One was Trooper Jon Church. His famous image rescuing a child in Kibeho, Rwanda in 1995 was used in a poster for our successful UN Security Council campaign in 2012. He died tragically in a Black Hawk helicopter accident in 1996. We honoured his memory and that of all Australian peacekeepers in this poster.
The AFP’s key role in peacekeeping has often had less profile than the military. I congratulate Dr Martin Hess, here with us today, for the launch last week at the Australian War Memorial of his book on “The Politics of Peace Diplomacy” which helps restore the balance.
Today the world is again riven by conflict. The UN is in a state of crisis, with the Security Council divided and impotent. The UN budget is set to be halved, particularly by the withdrawal of US support which has been so crucial in the past. Australia’s own contribution to peacekeeping personnel is at an all-time low.
However, we are still the 11th largest financial contributor to peacekeeping, we have just joined the Peacebuilding Commission and we have launched a bid for the UN Security Council for the 2029/30 term. Our commitment to the UN and its mission of peace remains clear, and it is a commitment we owe to the legacy of our peacekeepers as well as to our global future.
As we conclude let us recall the Biblical words from Matthew 5.9:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God”
We dedicate ourselves here again today to the cause of peace in a world in conflict, and we remember all those peacekeepers who have served. It is a good and Godly cause. Lest we forget.
Thank you
Hon Professor Matthew Neuhaus, ANU
Hon Professor Matthew Neuhaus, ANU.
UNOPAA President Mick Travers.
The Mission that Never Was
The Police Peacekeeping Proposal for Portuguese Timor.
A barely known aspect of Australian police peacekeeping history is the number of times proposed missions failed to eventuate. Namibia, Palestine, Haiti, Yugoslavia and Somalia1 are examples of locations where the United Nations (UN) made requests – either formally or informally – for contingents of Australian police peacekeepers. These requests were considered but ultimately rejected by Australian authorities. The reasons for rejection varied from the government determining a deployment as not being in Australia’s national interest, to there being insufficient numbers of police available, and the proposed mission ultimately not going ahead.
In researching the AFP archives last year for my book on Australian police peacekeeping, I came across a slender file containing a handful of surprising documents. They revealed a short-lived moment in 1975 when consideration was given to the potential deployment of Australian police peacekeepers to what was then called Portuguese Timor (today’s Timor-Leste). It appears to be the earliest instance of departmental planning being commenced for a UN police peacekeeping mission which did not eventuate.
Then Commonwealth Police Commissioner Jack Davis reviewing members of the 9th Australian Civilian Police contingent members to Cyprus, during predeployment training in Canberra in 1972.
1. AFP personnel did deploy to the former Yugoslavia and Somalia in UN endorsed roles, but they were either on leave without pay from the AFP or were involved in specific war crimes investigations as opposed to general peacekeeping operations. Australian police served in Haiti in 1994/1995, but not as part of a UN peacekeeping operation. A mission proposed for Palestine in 1994 did not go ahead, and only one Australian police fingerprint expert deployed to Namibia in 1989.
Background
The April 1974 military coup in Portugal (called the Carnation Revolution) initiated a hasty decolonisation process for what had been Europe’s longest-lived colonial empire. Within weeks of the coup, Portuguese military and administrative personnel began to leave several overseas possessions including Portuguese Timor. Portugal’s disinterest in smoothly transitioning power created a political vacuum in that former colony. Internal squabbling and violence amongst Timorese factions paralysed developments and by mid-1975 the viability of the territory as an independent nation state was in question.
Debate in Australia centred on the perceived role of communism in fanning the troubles on an island less than 700kms from Darwin. There was also concern in some quarters about what Indonesia might do in reaction to the instability. In the early 1960s Australian military forces had engaged in combat over Indonesian attempts to dominate the island of Borneo, and there remained a suspicions in both nations about the intentions of the other.
The position of the Australian Government on Portuguese Timor in 1975 was a nuanced one. Led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, the Labor government felt that while full independence was an option, it would be preferable for Portuguese Timor to be associated with or integrated into Indonesia, provided it was in accordance with the express wishes of the Timorese. Whitlam certainly hoped to avoid direct Australian involvement in what was proving to be a painful chapter
of European decolonisation on Australia’s doorstep.
This notwithstanding, in the second half of 1975 there was a degree of public speculation about a UN or regional mission to restore peace and allow for self-determination in Portuguese Timor. In early September Australian newspapers reported on government discussions and the matter was briefly debated in Parliament. On 2 September Prime Minister Whitlam told the Federal Labor Caucus that he was prepared to consider contributing Australian police to an international peacekeeping mission, but he felt it was unlikely the UN would involve itself in such an initiative. 2
Contingency Planning
The following day Chief Commissioner Jack Davis of the Australia Police sent a minute
2 ‘Police may go to Timor’, South Australia Advertiser, 3 September 1975, p.3.
to Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Allan Watt. In the minute Davis wrote “I feel it would be a wise preparatory course for you to prepare a paper or a note for immediate use by the Secretary if needed on how we would see such a contingent being raised. I believe that if the number did not exceed 50 then the contingent could be raised from within the Australia Police but with a number in excess of that would need to be a composite force involving State police.”3 Should State police be required, they were to be sworn in as special members under the Commonwealth Police Act 1957. Davis also indicated a contingent would be commanded by a senior member of the Australia Police.
Of interest is that the Australia Police had only recently been formed at the direction of the Whitlam Government.
3 Davis to Watt minute, Police contingent force – Timor, 5 September 1975, AFP File 305/A/1, CANREG 1975/2 p1.
The unilateral declaration of independence by the Fretilin leadership on 28 November 1975. Photo: Michael Richardson.
COMMANDER SUPT
INTERPRETOR ORDERLY CONST 1/C
OPERATIONS
INSP OPERATIONS
SGT
Suggested Force Structure
ADMIN & LOGS INSP
INTELLIGENCE SGT LIAISON 2 x INSP PERS ADMIN S/CONST LOGISTICS S/CONST MEDIC
TASK TEAM 1
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
TASK TEAM 4
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
TASK TEAM 7
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
In March 1975 the ACT, Commonwealth and NT Police forces were administratively amalgamated, with Commonwealth Police Commissioner Davis appointed as the Chief Commissioner. The bill to give legal effect to the amalgamation was before Parliament at the time of considering a deployment to Timor. 4
The Proposal
Just over a fortnight after Davis’ direction, a four-page minute by Superintendent John Fletcher was submitted to
TASK TEAM 2
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
TASK TEAM 5
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
TASK TEAM 8
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
Assistant Commissioner Watt on 22 September. The paper was, in effect, a preliminary concept of operations. It drew upon the experiences of Australian police peacekeepers in Cyprus, and snippets of information about Timor gathered by other Commonwealth agencies.
Fletcher assumed the role of the peacekeeping force would be to enable the Timorese to resolve their outstanding issues. Probable tasks for the peacekeepers would be to protect vital points, liaise with local authorities and
TASK TEAM 3
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
TASK TEAM 6
SGT
S/CONST plus 3 x CONST 1/C or CONST
mediate disputes. It was also assumed that in addition to the capital of Dili, peacekeepers would need to deploy to six (unspecified) ‘trouble spots’ across the territory. It was proposed that a superintendent would command the contingent; an inspector would be the deputy commander and also responsible for operations. A second inspector would head logistics and administration. Two additional inspectors would act as liaison officers to other agencies, with the rest of the contingent being sergeants and constables
4 The Bill was eventually withdrawn when the Australia Police initiative was discontinued by the Frazer Government in December 1975. Consequently, the three police agencies returned to their pre-March 1975 arrangements.
occupying a mix of operational, intelligence and administration roles (noting it would be preferable for the logistics constable to also be a qualified vehicle mechanic). The total headquarters element would consist of 12 personnel (including a civilian medic if one wasn’t provided by the UN, and an English/Tetum interpreter). Eight so-called Task Teams, each of five members, would be deployed in trouble spots to provide the operational capability.
A preliminary assessment of equipment requirements identified
the need for tropical clothing, radios, medical supplies and accommodation stores (tents, bedding etc), and Land Rovers for mobility. It was recognised that military stores and equipment would likely need to be acquired in the short-term, but items such as vehicles should be clearly marked as police.
A week of pre-deployment training was determined to be sufficient preparation and – provided adequate priority was given – the contingent of 50 police could be selected, equipped, trained and
dispatched in four weeks. The paper didn’t canvas in detail, issues such as the potential deployment of other international police, the rules regarding the use of force, nor the likely reaction of Timorese to the presence of peacekeepers. These topics were for future deliberations. Noting the extremely limited information available about conditions in Portuguese Timor, and in the absence of guidance from the UN about its intentions, Fletcher’s paper was a great start in conceptualising a potential deployment model.
Denouement
As quickly as the proposal was drafted and submitted, events moved on and the idea came to naught. There proved to be no appetite on the part of the Australian Government, the UN, nor regional nations, to deploy an international peacekeeping force. The Timorese people were also split about the territory’s political future, with some seeking an Indonesian take-over. By late September the Australian government’s preference was firmly for the integration of Portuguese Timor into Indonesia. Additionally, in October a political crisis began in Australia which culminated with the dismissal of the Whitlam Government on 11 November. The following month Indonesia invaded Portuguese Timor and subsequently annexed it.
Twenty-four years later – in 1999 – Australian police peacekeepers arrived in Dili as part of a UN operation to conduct what amounted to an independence referendum. Today, 12 AFP personnel are based in TimorLeste, providing capacity building support to Timorese police.
Superintendent Jason Byrnes APM
Australian
Federal Police
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975.
Honiara Rotary Fun Run a Success
A united front of 140 Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) officers and their families, the RSIPF-and AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), and locally engaged contractors recently came together for a 5 kilometre run to raise funds for the Rotary Club of Honiara.
Every dollar raised from this annual event is a step towards a better future for the Solomon Islanders, with funds going to local Rotary-supported charity initiatives that significantly improve their lives.
RSIPF and RAPPP members, alongside 70 new RSIPF recruits, showed their dedication, volunteering to help in the fundraising event.
The 6,500 runners met at the Lawson Tama Stadium for the Honiara Rotary Club’s largestever fun run. Five kilometres later, after running up and along Kola’a Ridge Road before heading
back down to Kukum Highway, the RSIPF team returned to the stadium tired but happy.
All RSIPF, RAPPP members and their families completed the 5 kilometres before returning to Rove Police Headquarters for a barbecue and to rehydrate with some well-earned soft drinks.
RAPPP Advisor Kevin Shaw said, ’It was great to see our future police officers volunteering their time and effort to help fundraise for their local communities.’
Source: AFP Former Members Newsletter
Pacific Policing Support Group
Police officers from across the Pacific will call Brisbane home for the next few months as they participate in the inaugural Pacific Policing Support Group (PPSG) training course.
The 30-plus participants will skill up in areas ranging from crime prevention during crisis and working with a multinational policing group to mass casualty response and field search coordination.
Participating nations include the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Niue and the Federated States of Micronesia.
The course is based at the Pinkenba Hub, an AFPsupported training and education facility critical to the Pacific Policing Initiative, which aims to bolster regional law enforcement capabilities.
It was officially opened by Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, in company with AFP Deputy Commissioner International and Specialist Capabilities Lesa Gale and Assistant Commissioner Pacific Asia Nigel Ryan.
A New Chapter for Pacific Police Peacekeeping
The United Nations’ (UN) highest-ranking police official has visited Australia to mark the conclusion of the world’s first UN peacekeeping training course tailored specifically for the Pacific region.
Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar –who oversees the UN’s police peacekeeping operations globally – met with the 100 police enrolled in the five-week program at the AFP’s Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub in Pinkenba, Brisbane. With the UN already fielding requests from other countries to replicate the bespoke training, Mr Shahkar welcomed the recruits and their home countries as ‘partners in peace’.
“Our officers make a real difference in the lives of people in some of the most distressing and difficult situations in postconflict countries, helping to lay the foundations of what we call sustainable peace,” Mr Shahkar said.
“As these brilliant officers from the Pacific look to enter the realm of international policing, where the UN plays such a leading role, I look forward to seeing their journey through the years and opportunities ahead.
“This is just the beginning.”
The training program, developed by the AFP in consultation with the UN, stretched from practical focuses such as community policing, first aid, driving and road safety to classroom-based topics including child protection, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.
It marked a number of milestones, chiefly the realisation of long-held Pacific ambitions to contribute more actively to international peacekeeping efforts, supported by the AFP.
Reflecting on his own time as a UN police peacekeeper in TimorLeste, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw APM delivered an address at the closing ceremony.
“This inaugural course stands as a proud demonstration of how international cooperation, including Australia’s support for regional aspirations, can deliver a lasting global impact,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
“I am genuinely proud to support this initiative and work alongside my fellow police chiefs to strengthen the region’s contribution to global peace, stability and security.”
Participants on the program came from Australia, Samoa, Kiribati, Fiji, Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Tuvalu, Federated States of Micronesia and Nauru.
The training faculty similarly boasted a wide geographic spread, with UN certified trainers coming from Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
UN Police Advisor Faisal Shahkar addresses the gathering
Kiribati participants and senior officers.
Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Uganda and Vietnam. UN staff from Jordan, Russia, Pakistan and Türkiye also attended. Australian training contributions came from the AFP and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Commissioner Kershaw said the program and its graduates had contributed meaningfully to diversity within UN peacekeeping capabilities.
“This training cohort will enhance UN geographic diversity by 10 per cent,” Commissioner Kershaw said. “And I’m also proud to note 45 per cent of participants are women, which is an important reflection of our commitment to inclusive representation.”
Guests at the closing ceremony for the peacekeeping course included UN Chief, Police Selection and Recruitment Ata Yenigun, High Commission representatives from the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Nauru and recently appointed Tonga Police Commissioner Geoff Turner.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Pacific Command Nigel Ryan said the training built on collaborations such as the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), which was a Pacificled and Australian-backed initiative to strengthen peace and security.
The PPI has already delivered a Regional Centre of Excellence in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, which will serve as a training and development hub, with specialised courses developed and led by Pacific police.
“The ethos of ‘by the Pacific, for the Pacific,’ is a really important part of our policing initiatives in the region,” Assistant Commissioner Ryan said.
“This training is an extension of that policing.“We’re proud to have been able to deliver on the UN peacekeeping ambitions of our Pacific and Timor-Leste partners and provide security as a Pacific family.”
Commissioner Kershaw and Tuvalu Police Commissioner Matatia Makaili.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw and recently appointed Tonga Police Commissioner Geoff Turner.
Acting Sergeant Jennifer Saunders and Mr Ata Yenigun, UN Chief for Police Selection and Recruitment.
A Trainer’s Perspective
Acting Sergeant Jennifer Saunders from the AFP Pacific Command’s United Nations Training Team was the program’s manager. She has served in three UN peacekeeping operations and recently achieved UN certified trainer qualifications. Having delivered UN training in both Fiji and Kiribati, Saunders was excited by the opportunity to host a program tailored for our region.
“There have been recent changes to the UN’s core pre-deployment and specialised training materials, as well as the inclusion of mandated job specific training. This means there are a large number of topics and information to cover within the five weeks. The final program included subjects such as first aid, protection of civilians, intel-led policing and capacity building and development. This helped prepare participants for their UN deployments and enhanced their domestic policing skills,” said Saunders.
Having 100 participants on the program resulted in four separate classes running concurrently, enabling smaller group work and different training methodologies. This was challenging and resourceintense, especially with the more ‘hands on’ subjects. During the program the UN Selection Assistance and Assessment Team (SAAT) conducted assessments
on each participant, for report writing, reading comprehension, manual driving and computer skills. These are mandatory requirements for deployment eligibility. The process included formal interviews with New York based interviewers, conducted online using the MS Teams computer program.
One of the tasks Saunders had responsibility for was coordinating training staff and contributors from within the AFP (Pacific Command, Learning & Development Command, AFP Legal, SHIELD (health) etc), from external agencies such as the ADF and experienced UN certified trainers. She also supported the SAAT members.
“What a rewarding experience. I really enjoyed the passion and enthusiasm shown by the participants and fellow trainers. UN police peacekeeping continues to evolve so it was invaluable to have the experience and perspectives of international trainers who have recently completed UN deployments.”
The majority of the program was undertaken at the AFP’s Pinkenba Training Centre, with driving practice conducted at the Greenbank military training area. Accommodation for the 100 participants was at the AFP Pinkenba ‘Hub’, the former Commonwealth COVID-19 Quarantine site which has been repurposed for police training.
Commissioner Kershaw addresses the gathering at Pinkenba.
Program participants from Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Some of the course participants, at the ceremony.
These mascots were issued to each of the four classrooms, with the day’s duty officer for each room having responsibility to ensure the item’s safety. This helped to build camaraderie and a sense of healthy competition between the four groups. Before the program, many participants had never seen the real Aussie animal they were allocated. They were given the opportunity to see the real thing during the program when a visit was organised to the Australia Zoo.
AFP Senior Constable Tran and a group of Solomon Islands police sing a song of thanks – ‘Walkabout Lo Chinatown’ – during the ceremony.
Some of the trainers on the program, from Australia (AFP), Fiji, Ghana and Uganda.
World Policing on Display
Australian and Pacific law enforcement on show at World Police Summit.
The fourth World Police Summit returned to Dubai from 13 to 15 May, attracting more than 18,000 law enforcement and government specialists from 130 countries. The agenda covered organised crime, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, borderless policing, money laundering and anti-narcotics.
More than 200 exhibitors and government agencies also hosted pavilions promoting technology and innovation.
The Australia New Zealand Police Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) and AFP United Arab Emirates (UAE) staffed the Australian and New Zealand pavilion. They showcased the AFP-led ThinkUKnow online child safety education program, Australian Institute of Police Management leadership programs, and the ANZPAA annual conference.
Liaison Officer Dubai, Senior Officer Suva and the AFP advisor to the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police obtained UAE support for Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu and Soloman Islands Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau to attend the summit and highlight our role in supporting Pacific law enforcement.
Both Pacific Islands commissioners participated in a transnational serious and organised crime panel discussion alongside Commander Christopher Woods and New Zealand Assistant Commissioner Bruce O’Brien.
Panel members discussed the importance of close coordination and cooperation between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands countries, highlighting recent operational successes and investment in training and capacity building across the Pacific region.
Other attendees included Chief Operating Officer Katherine Van Gurp, South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, ANZPAA CEO Dr Tracey Green and members from the AFP International Network.
Commander Woods said, ‘The World Police Summit provided a great platform for the AFP to showcase the excellent work we are doing in the Pacific with our closest partners. There was immense interest in the Australia/New Zealand pavilion, which helped to highlight the reach and capabilities of the agency to our operational partners across the Middle-East.’
Commissioner Tudravu said ’This is the first time that Fiji Police have attended such a global policing event. It presented me with an opportunity to share in person with such a large non-Pacific audience the impacts of transnational crime across the Pacific and in Fiji.’
AFP ThinkUKnow information and showbags were the talk of the summit and highly sought after, generating a lot of conversation about online child safety in the Middle-East region.
The Politics of Police Diplomacy
THE AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE
If, as some suggest,
we are
in
the foothills of another major conflict, it is worth remembering that one of the objectives of the United Nations remains to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” by promoting peace operations.
If peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, then international policing plays a vital role in the pursuit of the international justice-based outcomes which underpin peace. Serving both international good citizenship and the national interest, the Australian Federal Police has engaged internationally in various capacities over a sixty-year period in UN, multi-lateral and bi-lateral efforts aimed at peace and justicebased solutions. This book reviews many of these efforts through a diplomatic lens and argues that, as an effective instrument of preventative and restorative diplomacy, the AFP has earned a place as a legitimate participant in foreign policy considerations, and that these efforts serve as an example of how international policing can be done and why it merits its own diplomatic Track. Book is available at all good book stores and from the Australian War Memorial.
UN Peacekeeping Training Participants Visit Australia Zoo
We came, we saw, we crikeyed.
When visitors head Down Under, animal adventures are normally high on their wishlist. And so it was for almost 100 police officers from across the Pacific and Timor Leste who have been in Brisbane for five weeks participating in the first official UN Peacekeeping training tailored for the Pacific.
By day the visitors studied a diverse area of subjects, from community policing to protection of children. But on the weekend they were united in their bucket list request - Australia Zoo. So, onto the bus we hopped!
Recognise anyone you know Fiji Police Force, RSIPF, Federated States of Micronesia Police Force, Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste, Kiribati Police Service, Vanuatu Police Force, Nauru Police Force?
Honours Celebrate RSIPF Leadership
Royal Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Mangau And Deputy Commissioner Vaevaso Honoured For Exemplary Service In King’s Birthday Honours List.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of National Security and Operation Support (NSOS) Mr. Ian Vaevaso awarded with MBE for his dedicated service.
The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) is proud to announce that several of its executive members have been formally recognised in the 2025 Solomon Islands King’s Birthday Honours, highlighting their outstanding contributions to national security and law enforcement.
RSIPF Commissioner Mostyn Mangau BEM has been awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his distinguished leadership, dedication, and longstanding service to policing and public safety in the Solomon Islands. His commitment to strengthening the RSIPF and leading through complex national and regional security challenges has reinforced public trust and advanced policing standards across the country.
Commissioner Mangau extended his gratitude, saying, “I am deeply honoured by this recognition. This award reflects the dedication and hard work of all RSIPF officers. It is a privilege to serve alongside such committed professionals.”
Mr. Mangau said, “It’s all about team building with my RSIPF executive and the whole organisation. I am just taking the leading role to ensure we follow the right direction in terms of providing services to the good people of the Solomon Islands.”
Deputy Commissioner (DC), National Security and Operation Support (NSOS) Mr. Ian Vaevaso was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), recognising his tireless efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, develop leadership within the force, and support strategic policing initiatives. His leadership continues to be instrumental in building a more capable and community-focused police force that gives trust and confidence.
The awards reflect the RSIPF’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, integrity, and community service and reiterate the strength of the RSIPF’s leadership at a critical time for national and regional security.
The recognition of these achievements highlights the vital role that effective leadership plays in collaboration between the police and the communities they serve.
The RSIPF also congratulates its colleagues who were recognised for their contributions, including Director of the National Traffic Department, Superintendent William Foufaka, and Provincial Police Commander, Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Jimson Robo, who received the King’s Police Medal (KPM) for distinguished service.
The King’s Birthday Parade featured a ceremonial display by the RSIPF and Correctional Services of Solomon Islands, with musical performances by the RSIPF Police Band and the Australian Defence Force Brass Band, celebrating a proud day for national law enforcement.
Source: RSIP Web site
RSIP Band and the ADF Band.
The Currumbin ANZAC Day Service
Pat Medway OAM represents UNOPAA Queensland Branch at The Currumbin ANZAC Day Service.
I had the pleasure and honour of laying a wreath at the Memorials in the Currumbin RSL Club on ANZAC Day 2025 on behalf of the Queensland Branch of the UNOPAA in memory of all those members past and present who have served in all UN and Overseas Peacekeeping missions.
I especially remember our foundation members such as Bob Gillespie and many others who served at both state and national level in their police service.
A large crowd attended with representatives from all levels of government and local community being present and many laying wreaths on behalf of their organisations. Queensland Police and Fire and Emergency as well as SES and local lifesaving organisations were all in attendance.
Despite the rain it was a very successful service with some great speeches and an outstanding address by the School Captain of the Currumbin Public School who impressed everyone present with her eloquence and passion for ANZAC DAY and its great tradition of service, sacrifice and for love of our country.
The school representation was high, and the large community choir provided a wonderful musical accompaniment to the occasion as well. The local Scottish Pipe Band led the march and provided a musical background to the occasion.
The service was followed by an ANZAC DAY LUNCHEON hosted by the Club President, where the usual toasts were given.
From Adelaide to Vemasse
Recollections of a police peacekeeper in East Timor: 2000/2001.
I worked for over 40 years as a police officer. Most of this service was in uniform; all of it was in operational units, and – uniquely for a state police officer – I worked at the state (South Australia Police), national (National Crime Authority) and international (East Timor) levels. My time in East Timor (November 2000 – June 2001) was without a doubt the biggest standout of my otherwise crazy career.
Getting there
International peacekeeping was something I had been interested before I joined the police. I considered joining the Australian Federal Police (AFP) because they had been the sole providers of police to the United Nations (UN) since the 1970s, but they weren’t recruiting at the time. I joined the South Australia Police in 1982 but peacekeeping remained something I wanted to do at some stage. When the UN commenced its mission in East Timor in mid-1999 it was speculated state police would probably get the opportunity to volunteer.
I began to study Bahasa in my own time; it was a language spoken in East Timor and I thought it might be a useful skill to have if applications were called for.
In late 1999 South Australia Police agreed to provide a small number of police as part of Australia’s contributions to the UN effort to restore law and order
in East Timor, which was now devastated by warfare, destruction and violence. I submitted an application and awaited news of the outcome. Technical skills and aptitude towards the task of peacekeeping were not the sole factors in determining whether you were selected though. For South Australia Police the selections were made on the basis
David on parade in front of the Vemasse UNCIVPOL station.
The UN Hercules aircraft was a vital lifeline for personnel and Australia.
of district commanders being prepared to release a person for deployment, and some didn’t want to carry vacancies for eightor-so months.
I was fortunate and found myself allocated to the fifth Australian contingent, which consisted of a total of 100 state and federal police. Our pre-deployment training included learning to operate Glock pistols1 (AFP agents delivered the training in Adelaide) and then a fortnight of training at a caravan park in Canberra. There we received briefings from the AFP, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the military and intelligence groups. We were also issued equipment, received four-wheel drive training, undertook team building exercises and prepared for rough living conditions. I had served in the Army Reserve so the promise of hardship conditions didn’t deter me, in the way it did for several of my colleagues and friends who had initially expressed an interest but ultimately didn’t apply.
Arrival – Vemasse
We flew into East Timor’s capital Dili in a military Hercules flight from Darwin and then completed a week of UN induction training. This included assessments of our firearms and driving skills and how well we could speak English. There was a mountain of administrative paperwork to complete as well. At the end of the week Steven Meagher (AFP) and I were collected from Dili by British (Welsh) policeman Jim Lias, for our journey to the village of Vemasse.
Vemasse is about 90 kms to the east of Dili, along a narrow and winding coastal road. The views during the almost three-hour journey were at times picturesque, but the corners could be precarious to negotiate. Vemasse had a population of around 1500
road. When we arrived most buildings in the village were still badly damaged or destroyed from the terrible violence of late 1999.
Our residence was one of the better-quality houses. Located near the village’s church, the house had three bedrooms (although the glass
small kitchen and a few items of furniture. Unlike many other nearby buildings, the house had a functional roof. There was no electricity; the village’s generation plant had been destroyed in the violence and had not been rebuilt. The house had been initially rented by an Australian police officer from a previous contingent
Some of the children of the Vemasse area.
David resting during a public order operation.
and successive personnel continued paying the rent while they were based in the village. Jim had been staying at the house by himself when Steve and I arrived, so we moved in.
The police station in Vemasse was a run down, green coloured building with a small generator which was barely able to power the lights and one computer.
As a sub-district station, half a dozen UN police were stationed there, along with a couple of recently recruited and trained East Timorese police. We had two Tata vehicles allocated to the station; they were very average to drive and prone to falling apart.
In time, in addition to my official duties, I busied myself with renovations to the station and to the house. This included painting the station white using paint which had been liberated from abandoned Indonesian military stores. A lot of time was spent on making sure the paintwork was done properly. As a funny sidenote, about four years later I met Kirsty Sword Gusmão (the then first lady of Timor-Leste) at a social function in Adelaide. When she found out I had served in Vemasse, she commented it had the whitest police station in all of Timor-Leste!
Policework in Vemasse
The Vemasse sub-district included part of the coast and the adjacent mountainous area in which several villages nestled. The volume and type of work was what you made of it. The senior officer at the station (an African) rarely left his office and some of our colleagues (from south Asia) similarly seemed to avoid active patrol work. I certainly took my role as being what I did back home (general policing) with a federal focus and an international flavour.
We learned that the legal system in East Timor was inquisitorial –
that is, Magistrates had the lead in determining what investigations occurred. Our local Magistrate was situated in Baucau, over 30 kms or a 90-minute drive to the east. He was very helpful and instructive, and we reached an agreement on what philosophy to pursue – with an emphasis on informal conflict resolution when it was appropriate. The legal system was not robust enough, and justice resources were too limited, to support a strict application of formalised law in every situation. In effect, we were left to our own devices to police the area as we saw fit, within the constraints of our morals, policing experiences, common sense and pre-deployment training. It was an approach Steve and I wholeheartedly agreed with. Each shift I (and one of my colleagues) would go on patrol, visiting nearby villages and talking to elders. Through that engagement we built up trust and would eventually be told of what was happening (for good or bad) in the area. Our entrance to a village was normally well announced and an event which drew a crowd – however we sometimes were required to sneak into villages at night to locate and arrest people wanted for violent crimes. The danger in this essential tactic was heightened given the villages lacked electrical power so there was no lighting and we didn’t have night vision equipment.
A key priority was monitoring the actions of members of the anti-independence militias which had caused devastation throughout the country, and which were still threatening violence. Many militiamen were in hiding or were trying to slip back into the general community; we often went on patrols in the scrub for signs of militia activities, an to seek regular updates from village elders.
In the absence of a standardised reporting system, I helped introduced simplified report forms (in Tetum, Bahasa and English). These forms helped to capture information in a format which could be used by us at the station, and which also informed our reports to headquarters. The forms were for things like traffic crashes, criminal incidents and intelligence reports relating to militia movements. Getting UN police from other nations to accept the forms was challenging, until they realised how they could help us in reporting information up the chain.
The diversity of work was similar to general policing in Australia. I attended car crashes, domestic violence situations, riots, fights, investigated murders, deaths and assaults, conducted roadblocks and vehicle inspections. I also delivered a baby, attended community events, negotiated disputes and obtained and assessed criminal intelligence. Unlike Australia I also was required to assist in conducting exhumations of the bodies of victims of war crimes and massacres, and deliver workplace training to both Timorese recruits and UN colleagues. All the above was undertaken without the degree of organisational support which is taken for granted in urban Australia. Backup and services like forensics only were available for the most serious of matters and took hours if not days to arrive.
Vemasse Highlights
As time passed, I became increasingly attached to Vemasse and its people. My sense was the UN and Timorese police were making some real advances in bringing stability to the district. Projects I embraced included training residents in basic firefighting (fire was a tremendous risk) and regularly playing soccer with children in a barren and
rocky piece of dirt out the front of our house. The benefits of this approach in building trust were incalculable.
We also received permission from the judiciary to implement a version of an approach to juvenile justice which had been implemented in South Australia, which combined village law with the emerging statute law of East Timor. It was satisfying working with village elders to implement a practical approach to community safety.
Another unique experience occurred in March 2001 after I visited a camp of UN (Jordanian) soldiers as they celebrated the end of Ramadan. The goat we ate in celebration had not been cooked properly and I became very ill with a gastro-type virus, requiring hospitalisation at the UN (Thai) military hospital in Baucau. I lost 16kgs in a couple of days and was bed-ridden. I began to recover when rioting broke out against the Jordanian soldiers, and part of the crowd stormed the hospital. I ventured outside the ward in my hospital-issue pyjamas whilst still connected to a saline drip and saw that some of the rioters were villagers I knew. I was able to help negotiate an end to the incident whilst dressed in this manner.
The previous month a Timorese police officer and I had been urgently called to the village of Ostico to help resolve a dispute between family groups in two villages, who threatened they would go to war with each other. Sitting down with about 80 villagers, we learned about an ongoing dispute involving sorcery, thefts, assaults, the death of a child and of cattle. The meeting went late into the night and resumed in the early hours of the following day, interrupted on occasion with threats by one person to kill another.
After two full days of discussions, I narrowed down the dispute to the belief by the entire group that a ‘magic’ tree root was giving an unfair advantage to one side. Eventually we negotiated a solution where a ‘neutral party’ (ie: me) would burn the root and thereby prevent further fighting. I did this in an ostentatious
public display. Followed by a crowd, I walked to a small hut where I was presented with the root. After I made representatives from both groups sign a document promising the dispute was at an end, I burned the root with petrol, in full view of the crowd. The gathering expressed relief and joy. Afterwards, I was invited
David recovering from food poisoning in the Thai military hospital at Baucau.
David painting Vemasse station – the whitest police station in Timor-Leste!
to join the festivities which included a feast of cooked dog. While not particularly happy with having to eat the meat, I had an immense sense of personal satisfaction knowing that I contributed to preventing villagewide violence.
On New Years’ Eve for 2000/2001 military intelligence suggested there might be a militia attack on Vemasse, with UN personnel being the target. A nearby Australian army unit were fully committed to other duties so couldn’t deploy soldiers in support. It was left to us CIVPOL to provide security but we were also invited as honoured guests at the village’s celebrations. Attending the event that evening in my UN capacity, and dancing with villagers while I was fully kitted up, was another curious highlight for me. And luckily for us, the attack did not occur.
There were some very tough times in Vemasse though, and some incidents – particularly those involving investigating war crimes and massacres –I prefer not to remember.
East Timor Police
During my time at Vemasse I worked with Timorese police who had recently graduated their recruit training. There wasn’t really a structured workplace training framework so we improvised, a task made more complicated by the differing backgrounds and skills that we UN peacekeepers had.
I was particularly impressed with one of the recruits who was passionate, educated and well spoken. He often also performed a translator role, such as the incident involving the magic root. This policeman had grown up in Vemasse so he was respected by the locals for obtaining some education, although they still looked to police like me because of our experience. Identified as a
promising prospect, sadly he was shot in 2006 when a civil war-like situation broke out in the country. Another local recruit I worked with was unimpressive – he had been a police officer during Indonesian occupation. He was reluctant to contribute or engage with villagers and they distrusted him. I understand the theory of why some former police were given another opportunity after Indonesia left, but the way these police interacted with the community, and how the community viewed them, highlighted deep societal problems regarding accounting for what happened during Indonesian occupation.
Transfer To Dili
My transfer to Dili in early April 2001 was not something I sought; indeed I had attempted to avoid it for months. I loved working in Vemasse however a change of UN police leadership in the district had led to a proposal for subdistricts to be staffed by members from a single nation, rather than mixed groups. 2 I think every police peacekeeper who worked in Timor would recognise there were probably other factors at play, especially relating to the police from some nations not being as proactive or dynamic as others. Adjusting to life in a vibrant if not chaotic city was a bit of a shock. Dili had tens of thousands of residents, lots of traffic, electricity and plenty of food. I hadn’t starved in Vemasse, but our rations had been meagre, and additional food had been difficult to come-by. In comparison, Dili was relatively awash with food options, although people who had only been stationed in the city may not agree.
I was assigned to the Dili Task Force, a unit focussed on policing public (dis)order events (riots), which were an almost
daily occurrence. Riots occurred for a multitude of reasons such as poverty, unemployment, boredom, gang wars and longheld tribal disputes. In addition to people being desperately poor and angry with their lot in life, various political factions were jockeying for power and weren’t afraid to stir up trouble. The scale of the violence was accentuated by cultural factors such as a high proportion of young unemployed people being well trained in martial arts, the use of bush knives and machetes, and being skilled in accurately throwing rocks (and as it turned out, Molotov cocktails).
The Dili Task Force was a multinational UN public order team, a mixture of Australians, Canadians, Portuguese, Africans and Americans. We had riot equipment and used it daily. Mostly our shifts were days or afternoons but we were constantly on-call, so we took our kit home with us at night. As was the case for all UN police peacekeepers, we worked seven days per week, with only a dozen or so days off during the six-month deployment.
The saddest case I attended in Dili was an incident near the waterfront where an angry crowd gathered after a father and his three children had been killed by a truck in a head-on crash. Another part of our high tempo operations was raiding houses at nighttime to execute arrest warrants. Conducting the raids at night was dangerous because of near total darkness, but it was usually the most effective way to arrest offenders who avoided detection during daylight hours.
The Dili Task Force was an adrenaline fuelled, high intensity and challenging posting. While it was exciting work, I didn’t get the same level of job satisfaction as I did during my time at Vemasse. In Dili we were constantly
responding to (violent) problems and applying tactical skills, whereas in Vemasse we focussed on preventing such situations from occurring, using a wider range of skills and strategies.
Reflections
After three days of paperwork my contingent left Dili on 30 May 2001 and arrived in Darwin for debriefing. A week later I flew home to Adelaide and was met at the airport by my family who were holding a ‘welcome home’ banner. Two weeks after that I was back at work patrolling the streets of Adelaide with a seemingly indifferent department and public, which couldn’t fathom what I had experienced and had no idea what was happening inside my head. Unlike the military we had no welcome home parade or similar, instead the contingent split up in Darwin, often never to see each other again. I’m sure the nature of returning home and resuming domestic policing has, in itself, added to the stress many of us have experienced.
The opportunity for me to deploy overseas again never came around. If it had then I would have jumped at the chance. Instead, I continued my domestic career in Adelaide. Although I enjoyed it and had fun, it wasn’t quite the same as Vemasse.
Over the years I have reflected often about my time in what is now Timor-Leste. I became a better police officer because of the experience, and I know I helped many people who had nothing and who were looking for a better chance in life. I still have health issues relating to the gastro, but I have been fortunate not to experience the PTSD that many colleagues now suffer. I saw and worked through some truly terrible things, however my 15 or so years of policing experiences beforehand had exposed me to
enough horrors that I was able to deal with those that I encountered on deployment.
Timor remains in my thoughts. I haven’t returned but probably will one day, to see how it has developed. I think it would be interesting to see – especially Vemasse and its surrounding district – but I am uncertain of the
emotional toll that this might have on me as I truly care about the place and it’s people. Time will tell.
By David Chamberlain, as told to Jason Byrnes APM
1
2
David and his colleagues in the Dili Task Force.
One of the temporary UN hotels in Dili.
The standard issue handgun for South Australia Police at the time were Smith & Wesson revolvers.
By this time both Steve Meagher and Jim Lias had transferred to Baucau.
Why We Should Continue Reading Newspapers
Many thanks to Hewan O’Neill.
Vale
On behalf of the UNOPAA National Executive, our National Committee, State Branches and all members of UNOPAA, we would like to acknowledge the service of the following, particularly to overseas peacekeeping, and to express our sympathy to family, contingent colleagues and friends. It is with regret that we advise of the passing of:
JOHN PETER KELLY
Passed away on 29 November 2024. A Victorian Police member of the 7th Contingent to Cyprus. John’s funeral details were not provided.
CARL HERMANSON
Passed away on Monday, 7th July 2025. A NSW Police member of the 1st Contingent to Cyprus. Carl had been in care for many years following a fall from a ladder. Carl was a founding member of this Association and held various executive positions both on the National and NSW Branch Executives. Carl’s funeral was held on Friday 11 July at Allan Drew Heritage Chapel, Castle Hill.
VINCENT ‘VINCE’ PATRICK MYLETT
Passed away on 29th June 2025 aged 85 years. An AFP member of the 25th, 26th & 27th (December 1986 – March 1988) Contingents to Cyprus. A private Cremation Service was held for Vince. A Memorial Service was held at Revesby Workers Club on 1st August 2025.
DENNIS MCGUINNESS
Passed away on 14 March 2025 aged 74. A Commonwealth Police Officer (AFP) who served on the 15th contingent to Cyprus (April 1978April 1979). Dennis had a private Cremation Service.
Membership Renewal or Application
Your annual UNOPAA membership subscription is $20.00. Please complete this form and return with your subscription to address at the bottom of this form.
UNITED NATIONS & OVERSEAS POLICING ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
ABN: 56 838 671 889
Please note – GST, postage and handling
CREDIT by EFT (INTERNET TRANSFER)
Account: UNOPPA MRCHDS S2 BSB: 815000 Account: 100343942
Reference: <your last name> and ‘MRCHDS’ in the reference field Then e-mail details of the transaction including your reference number and a copy of this completed form to unopaa@gmail.com
IMPORTANT NOTES
The UNOPAA will take the utmost care in packaging; however, we will not accept any responsibility for goods damaged in transit. The UNOPAA will not accept returns where the product or merchandise is ordered specifically for an individual (eg Montage, clothing, etc)
The United Nations & Overseas Police Association of Australia (UNOPAA) will accept returned products/ merchandise where:
• The product is faulty, or not fit for purpose, or the product does not match the sample or description. Proof of purchase (UNOPAA merchandise receipt) must be provided in order to:
• Obtain a refund (by cheque) will be provided or re-issue alike article.
All queries for return of merchandise must be received within 30 days from date of purchase and directed to the UNOPAA Merchandise officer at heldale.cooper@ gmail.com. Item returns will be at the discretion of the APPVA Merchandise Officer provided the above criterion is met in the first instance. Please choose carefully as UNOPAA cannot accept returns due to a change of mind.
ANF Challenge Coin
Flag/ANF Lapel Pins
Lapel Pins Round
Cuff Links
Tie
Being online has made meeting and interacting with others easier than ever before, but it’s important to know how to stay safe.
Here are ThinkUKnow’s top tips for safer online interactions:
• Question suspicious accounts, and trust your instincts if something doesn’t seem right - not everyone is who they say they are.
• Avoid meeting someone in person that you have only ever spoken to online. However, if you do meet, choose a public place and take someone with you.
• If something goes wrong, know how to block or un-match and report.
• Your safety should always come first!
Sometimes things don’t go to plan but there is always help available.
For more information, visit www.thinkuknow.org.au
ThinkUKnow is a national online child safety program led by the Australian Federal Police, delivered in schools through educational presentations and resources for young people and their parents and carers.
