The AFP is marking International Women’s Day by showcasing inspiring female members and encouraging more women to consider a career with the agency.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and Commissioner Reece Kershaw last year announced a 30 per cent target for the sworn-female workforce by 2028.
“The AFP is driving stronger female representation to ensure greater diversity in its ranks,” Minister Andrews said.
“The AFP is making headway towards reaching this target, which will not only help security and law enforcement but greater society, by laying the pipeline for more women to be employed across traditionally male-dominated industries.”
Assistant Commissioner and AFP’s Champion for Women Justine Gough said International Women’s Day provided an important opportunity to discuss the contribution and impact of women within the AFP.
“There are so many incredible women in the AFP and we’re proud to see them challenge the status quo and put up their hands to be the first to try new things.”
Breaking new ground is something Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Paula Alam has experienced in her AFP career.
As one of only a few women to study computer forensics at university 15 years ago, Ms Alam became the first woman to join the AFP’s Digital Forensics team in Sydney in 2010 and was also the youngest team member.
Ms Alam credits her growth to her supportive team members, who encouraged learning and development during her 12 years in the team.
“I knew that I wanted to help people and make a positive impact on the community, couple that with my passion for computer technology and love of the TV show, Law and Order, and policing seemed like the obvious answer,” Ms Alam said.
“The flexibility the AFP offers has allowed me to continue to excel in my field while also raising three children. Being an experienced forensic analyst in my field, helping to take down child exploitation rings and prevent acts of terrorism, as well as being a wife and mother has been incredibly rewarding.”
Senior Constable Jessica Neilson joined the AFP after studying and working in marketing for several years.
“While I loved my job, something just wasn’t clicking. I learnt about the AFP through a friend and the opportunity to contribute to something bigger that would help my community really drew me in,” Senior Constable Neilson said.
With experience in online covert operations and working on Operation Ironside for three years, Senior Constable Neilson now works in cybercrime, tasked with bringing high priority cyber-crime offenders to account.
“My career has been incredibly varied, I’ve been lucky to have worked in several areas of the AFP, travelled overseas to help the international policing community and contribute to the largest operation the AFP has ever undertaken,” Senior Constable Neilson said.
“My work is completely different to anything I have done, or imagined I could have done before.”
A career in the AFP is also something that Acting Sergeant Adele Milander didn’t consider until a few years after university.
“I was a social worker prior to joining the AFP and while it was incredibly rewarding work, I wanted something with more variety and something that would call upon my degree in criminology. After some research, the AFP really seemed like it could offer me all that I was looking for in a new field,” Acting Sergeant Milander said.
“I currently work in counter terrorism and the ability to have such a positive impact on the community by protecting them from individuals and groups who would cause them harm is incredibly rewarding.
“I have had some amazing female mentors who have encouraged my development as an investigator and a leader, and that in turn has inspired me to be a mentor for new police officers as well.”
Assistant Commissioner Gough said creating an environment that fostered inclusion and accelerated diversity was a key priority for the AFP.
“We know that different perspectives, cultures and lived experiences are integral to a modern police agency,” said Assistant Commissioner Gough.
“Women are integral to any workplace and the AFP is committed to increasing its number of female employees and inspiring women to be the best that they can be – professionally and personally.
“With offices around the country, opportunities for offshore deployments, a flexible work environment and a huge breadth of areas to work in, there’s a lot on offer for those who want an exciting career that allows them to give back to their communities.”
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