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Feature

Commemorating 60 years of Australian Police Peacekeeping

This year marks 60 years since the first contingent of Australian police were deployed to Cyprus as part of United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

Since then, thousands of Australian police have deployed across the world, helping countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. Often this is alongside policing colleagues from other counties as well as military/defence personnel.

Commemorative events

We’re commemorating these efforts over 60 years through several publications and events across the country. These include:

The AFP will be celebrating 60 years of Police Peacekeeping at the upcoming Former Members event in Southern Command on Thursday 24 October 2024. We encourage local former police peacekeepers to attend.  An afternoon tea will be provided and police peacekeepers eligible to receive a commemorative challenge coin and lapel pin.

DATE: Thursday 24 October 2024.

TIME: For sign-in please arrive at 1230pm. Event 1.00pm-4.00pm.

VENUE: Southern Command Headquarters, 155 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Dates and details to be advised

Western Command will be celebrating 60 years of Police Peacekeeping on Tuesday 3 December 2024. We encourage local current and former police peacekeepers and their partners to attend. A lunch will be provided and police peacekeepers will be eligible to receive a commemorative challenge coin and lapel pin.

DATE: Tuesday, 3 December 2024

TIME: Sign-in from 11.45am. Event from 12.00pm-1.30pm.

VENUE: Western Command Headquarters, 1120 Hay Street, West Perth.

Please register your attendance by Friday 29 November 2024.

The AFP will be celebrating 60 years of Police Peacekeeping at the upcoming Former Members event in Adelaide on Tuesday 19 November 2024. We encourage local former police peacekeepers to attend.  An afternoon tea will be provided and police peacekeepers eligible to receive a commemorative challenge coin and lapel pin.

DATE: Tuesday 19 November 2024.

TIME: For sign-in please arrive from 1230pm. Event 1.00pm-4.00pm.

VENUE:  Adelaide Airport Operations Office

Please register your attendance via email by Tuesday 12 November 2024.

Eastern Command will be celebrating 60 years of Police Peacekeeping on Wednesday 20 November 2024. We encourage local former police peacekeepers to attend. A morning tea will be provided and police peacekeepers will be eligible to receive a commemorative challenge coin and lapel pin.

DATE: Wednesday, 20 November 2024.

TIME: For sign-in please arrive at 9.45am. Event 10.00am-12.00pm.

VENUE: Eastern Command Headquarters, 110 Goulburn Street, Sydney

EVENT TYPE: Morning Tea. Invitation open to former/current police peacekeepers and their partners, as well as Sydney AFP members.  

Please register your attendance via email by Thursday 17 November 2024.

Whether you’re a current or former peacekeeper, family member of a current or former peacekeeper, or part of the policing and/or peacekeeping community more broadly, you‘re welcome to join us for at the commemorative events. 

The National event has now been held and thank you to all those who joined us. If you’re interested in attending a regional event, please Email events@afp.gov.au with your preferred location and mission/contingent you were involved in.

Missions and contingents

Missions and contingents with Australian policing involvement and presence include:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bougainville (TMT / PMT)
  • Cambodia
  • Cyprus
  • East Timor | Timor-Leste
  • Haiti
  • Jordan
  • Liberia
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
  • Solomon Islands (IPMT)
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Thailand (UNBRO)

The role of police peacekeepers

Police peacekeepers reinforce and re-establish security through patrolling, community policing and other operational support. They also advise domestic police services, assist with capacity building, increase compliance with international human rights standards, and restore and promote public safety and the rule of law.

This is a diverse and intense experience for our peacekeepers – stories that should be memorialised, reflected upon and shared with generations to come.

Image gallery

In Cambodia in 1992 and 1993, 20 Australian police peacekeepers lived in Thmar Puok village and helped build the capacity and capability of Cambodian police. The Australians also took it on themselves to donate educational materials and toys to local school children.
Australian police peacekeepers handing out lollies at a community engagement event in Cambodia, in 1992. Cambodians had few luxuries and struggled for food in a war-ravaged environment.
United Nations missions use aircraft for mobility and transport purposes. Here an Australian police peacekeeper and a colleague are standing near a Super Puma UN helicopter, in East Timor in 2000
An Australian police peacekeeper with women and a child in Kurmuk, the Sudan. The Australian Federal Police provided officers to the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), between 2005 and 2007
As part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Australian police assisted in delivering supplies to members of minority Greek Cypriot communities situated in the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Here, a wheelbarrow was used as the woman lived atop a steep hill
State police officers being sworn in as special members of the Commonwealth Police, in a ceremony in Canberra in 1965. A few days later these officers flew to Cyprus, to commence duties as peacekeepers
Australian and international police on the streets in Dili, Timor-Leste, in the wake of chaos and violence in 2006. International police and military forces assisted Timorese authorities in restoring order and calm, after a near total collapse in security due to violence between Timorese military and police forces.
An Australian police officer talking to Cambodian children in Kdol Village, Banteay Chhmar Province. The Australians taught Cambodian police how to gain the trust and respect of their communities.
Australian police officers receiving a UN campaign medal for their service as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, in 2000
Three members of the Queensland Police Service who were part of the first Australian police contingent to Cyprus, in 1964
The then United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, with police peacekeepers from Australian and other nations, in Timor-Leste
Community engagement was an important part of duties for police peacekeepers attached to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Australian police peacekeepers served in UNMISS between 2011 and 2014
A UN medal parade in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 1988. Receiving her medal is Sergeant Kathy Burdett, the first female Australian police officer to deploy overseas on a United Nations peacekeeping operation
An Australian police peacekeeper sharing some food with a Greek Cypriot couple, in northern Cyprus. The UN retains responsibility to check on the welfare of minority communities across the island
Sheep in Cyprus cross infront of a UN jeep
Commissioner Reece P Kershaw with Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, Katherine Jones PSM.
60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
Former peacekeepers speaking at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
AFP Commissioner Reece P Kershaw speaking at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial in Canberra.
AFP Commissioner Reece P Kershaw saluting at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial in Canberra.
(Left to right) - Victoria Police, acting Assistant Commissioner Therese Fitzgerald, Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Janelle Tonkin, AFP – ACT Policing Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee and NSW Police Superintendent Toby Lindsay, laying wreaths at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
Former peacekeepers laying wreaths of remembrance at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial. Both men were part of the first Australian contingent to Cyprus in 1964.
Former peacekeepers at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
Former peacekeepers and their families at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
Former peacekeepers at the 60 Years of police peacekeeping memorial service at the National Peacekeepers Memorial.
In the Service of Peace book on display at the 60 years of police peacekeeping lunch.
AFP peacekeeping items on display at the 60 years of police peacekeeping lunch.
UN Beret on display as of the AFP Museum peacekeeping collection at the 60 years of police peacekeeping lunch.
AFP Commissioner Reece P Kershaw with Superintendent Jason Byrnes launching 'In the Service of Peace' book at the 60 years of police peacekeeping lunch.
AFP Commissioner Reece P Kershaw, Superintendent Jason Byrnes with limited edition peacekeeping Kenny Koala bear launching 'In the Service of Peace' book at the 60 years of police peacekeeping lunch.

Contact us

Any questions relating to the 60-year Australian policing peacekeeping commemorations should be directed to events@afp.gov.au.

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