A contingent of AFP officers will be deployed to Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, assisting French authorities with the safe and secure delivery of the events.
The AFP deployment will see AFP officers form part of the major international policing presence at and around the events, with more than 2000 officers from around the world working to support the French Police and Gendarmerie.
The officers will undertake joint patrols to enhance the security of sites and surrounds, share intelligence and liaise with international law enforcement partners, and provide security to Australian athletes, dignitaries and attendees, in consultation with French authorities.
They will also support their French colleagues in welcoming foreign visitors.
AFP security liaison officers are also working closely with the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia to assist with providing a safe and secure environment for Australian athletes and officials.
The AFP Special Events Planning Team (SEPT) will oversee the coordination of the AFP response to the Olympic and Paralympic Games with the provision of operational support until the end of the Games.
The SEPT is responsible for protecting Australians and Australia’s interests at events of national significance. This includes conducting risk assessments, sharing intelligence and coordinating security arrangements.
The team has previously been involved in security planning for the and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Melbourne this year.
The AFP’s Paris Post, which officially opened in November 2023, will also provide significant logistical support to French Police and the Gendarmerie in the lead up to the event.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peta Maddigan, the Police Forward Commander for the Paris Olympics, said being invited by French authorities to assist with the Olympic Games demonstrated the strength of the AFP’s relationship with its international policing partners.
“We are proud to be representing the AFP, supporting Australians competing and attending, and contributing to the safe and secure execution of this once-in-a-lifetime event,” Det-Supt Maddigan said.
“The AFP has more than 200 personnel located in 34 countries as part of its international network, which proves to be highly beneficial when organising and representing Australian interests for global events such as the Olympics and Paralympics”.
“These operations highlight the strength of our working relationships with our international partner agencies as well as our relationships with industry, particularly the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia,” she said.
