Dear O Sung Wu,

The Federal Police are a multi-faceted law enforcement
agency involved with other global police agencies in
fighting counter-terrorism, looking after national security,
and in general - 21st Century crime.
Their involvement in the Schapelle Corby case with Channel 7
makes perfect sense - because her proposed interview with
the TV Channel could have implications for Australian relations
with Indonesia - and especially Ms Corby still being on parole,
has to adhere to the conditions of her parole. Channel 7
should be made aware of the repercussions of their actions
and the Federal Police are the people to ensure that they do
this. The Federal Police are simply protecting our country's
interests.

As for David Hicks profiting from his book?
That's an entirely different matter. The book was
written after Mr Hicks was released. Whereas Ms Corby
is still on parole. Different scenario.
Channel 7 denies that any money has been offered.
And the Federal Police, I'm sure would have made things
quite clear to the TV Channel as to what they could or
could not do.

There are columns to fill. That is what Andrew Rule did with his frivolous, mildly entertaining (to those who criticise police) piece.

Previous opinions by the High Court, by Sir Garfield Barwick for example, do not allow police leeway to do anything but investigate and where there is evidence of wrongdoing, charge. Policy and discretion belong to the government of the day and parliament.

What should the police do where OMGs are responsible for drug manufacture and trafficking, and for the standover tactics and violence that goes with it? Or where a media outlet has been brazen in publicising that it will be paying a very large sum to convicted drug smuggler who is on parole? That drug smuggler broke Australian laws too: how did the boogie board that weighed like a 'railway sleeper' get stuffed, zipped, lugged into an Australian airport and sent overseas? What is at this end that should be investigated?

BTW, it could just as easily have been something more toxic and dangerous in that bag, has anyone thought about that?

Is Mise,
They all have uniforms, even the detective branches and they have #1s for ceremonial work as well.
Ask your daughter and she will tell you that the protective branches will give their life for the person they have to protect.
They are not buffoons as some would suggest.
There was a time when they were treated with disdain by the state police forces but that all changed when some of them tried to switch jobs for the overseas escort work.
Most of them were knocked back on intellectual and psychological grounds.
Today the joining criteria and training programs are on a par with the FBI.

Chriss,

That's just about what I said but they do work in plain clothes as well.

Thoroughly agree about the level of intelligence required; it's in the genes (I like to think!).

Thank you FOXY for providing a thorough insight into the Corby/Hicks implications, of the 'Proceeds of Crime debate.

It's funny really, having served a very long time in the job, one does tend to become somewhat parochial with your own organisation. Often without paying too much attention to other allied agencies (to use an American term) with a similar commission. The AFP, Australian Customs Service, Taxation Enforcement Branch, etc are some notable examples.

I'm well aware of the interminable Departmental (Agency) resentment, that's often impaired operational collaboration. Particularly within those specialized areas such as ABCI and BCI to cite two extremely important examples. Even the old CFB (Central Fingerprint Bureau) always managed by NSWPOL occasionally got their 'knickers in a knot', unless correct, 'access protocols' were observed ! Yet we're all supposed to be on the same side ?

I believe it was CHRISGAFF1000 who suggested, the AFP have adopted the FBI's model for much of their training, and perhaps even their rank structure ? Whereas the AFP apparently use the title of 'Federal Agent', as opposed to the usual police echeloned structure of; Constable, Sergeant, Inspector etc.

The AFP sounds like a pretty professional outfit, notwithstanding that grudgingly envious and resentful journo. Andrew RULE, may've implied ?

Dear O Sung Wu,

Our Federal Police do an incredible job - and
they deserve our support not our criticism -
no question about that.