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Two AFP members have been recognised in this year’s Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP) Excellence in Policing Awards for their commitment to improving opportunities and services provided to women in law enforcement.

The 23rd annual awards event held in Sydney last night (19 October 2022) paid tribute to the women and men across Australia and the Pacific who are leading the way, demonstrating excellence in innovation, research, investigation and administration.

AFP Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar was awarded the Champion of Change Award, for his influence and commitment to improving policing for women.

The award acknowledges the important role men play in increasing women’s representation in leadership within law enforcement. Detective Sergeant Dunbar was recognised for his work in advocating and mentoring female members into positions of leadership.

Detective Sergeant Dunbar was praised for enhancing the culture within the AFP to be inclusive and supportive of women, utilising his wealth of policing experience to develop those he leads to become better police officers.

AFP Criminal Intelligence Analyst Sheridan Page received the Most Outstanding Female Intelligence Practitioner Award for guiding and mentoring new intelligence members in the targeting of international organised crime networks.

Ms Page has consistently delivered outstanding intelligence outcomes, and is considered a model for effectively integrating a balanced family life while achieving career success.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations Lesa Gale said she was extremely proud of the AFP members recognised for their dedication to empowering both men and women to advance gender equality in the workplace.

“The commitment of Detective Sergeant Dunbar, Ms Page and all AFP members who continue to work to achieve real change in the AFP’s workplace culture and mindset is something that should be celebrated,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Gale said.

“The AFP supports all women and men who advocate for a diverse and inclusive work environment, and encourages others to follow their example.”

Former AFP member Lautoa Faletau also received the Most Outstanding Female Administrator Award for her enduring and relentless advocacy for advancing Pacific women’s representation and voices in policing, as well as police response to gendered violence and equality.

The AFP also congratulates the women recognised for fostering change in the Pacific, as the AFP continues to work closely with its Pacific policing and law enforcement partners to strengthen the region against shared challenges.

Among them was Deputy Commissioner of Samoa Police Service Monalisa Tiai-Keti, who was awarded the AFP Audrey Fagan Memorial Award in honour of late AFP Assistant Commissioner Audrey Fagan APM.

Deputy Commissioner Tiai-Keti has broken the glass ceiling for women in the Samoa Police Service and is a voice for all women in the Pacific as an exemplary example of what women can achieve. She was promoted as the first female Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Samoa Police Service, and continues to be a trailblazer in achieving real change in workplace culture.