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Editor’s note: New vision of AFP Protective Service Officers across Australia and audio grabs are available via Hightail.

The AFP has launched one of its biggest Protective Service Officer (PSO) recruitment drives, searching for people who want a new rewarding and exciting career.

The AFP is aiming to recruit hundreds of additional officers to be stationed across Australia in both metropolitan cities and regional areas, while also offering opportunities to work overseas as part of the agency’s global operations.

New recruits will join the more than 800 AFP PSOs who play a key frontline role in protecting the community and Commonwealth infrastructure.

PSOs provide an armed first-response capability at locations across the country, including Parliament House in Canberra, major Australian airports, Defence locations and other places of critical infrastructure. While many stations are in capital cities, there are regional bases at Pine Gap, Geraldton and Exmouth.

The role of a PSO is to prevent, deter and respond to threats against protection interests and national security threats. This includes providing protection and support for national and international deployments, including during major emergencies and events. 

PSOs are among the 100 additional AFP members deployed to Solomon Islands in November to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) with security operations for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Commander Specialist and Protective Strategy Coordination, Stephen Fry said the AFP needed an unprecedented boost to its PSO ranks because of expanding operations, resulting in one of the biggest recruitment drives undertaken by the law enforcement agency.

"Protective Service Officers are on the frontline for the AFP's national security response as well as a range of other emergency and operational incidents," Commander Fry said.

"We're searching for new recruits who want a chance to serve and protect their local and national communities, with roles available across Australia in remote and metropolitan locations. We're looking for people who want a career that values fitness and good health, people who have a sense of adventure and are open to seeing more of our beautiful country.

“The role offers flexibility between work and time off, plus the advantage of knowing your shifts a year in advance.”

Commander Fry said the AFP was committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce to ensure the AFP was a future-ready police organisation.

“The AFP is looking for a diverse range of applicants – there isn’t just one type of person who is perfect for the PSO role,” Commander Fry said.

“Diversity is a core element of modern policing. Not only does it ensure AFP members reflect the community we serve, but it also allows the AFP to build and maintain community trust, and strengthens our capacity to effectively respond to local, national and international challenges.

"If you have been thinking of a career change - this is your time, the AFP values the experience people bring from a variety of professions and backgrounds."

Commander Fry said the AFP’s message to potential recruits was that now was the time to join the AFP for an exciting and meaningful new career that would provide a sense of purpose and camaraderie.

"As a PSO there's no chance of being caught behind a desk - you're our boots on the ground, working with important people across Australia and the world in an extremely rewarding career, protecting the community," he said.

The AFP has launched a new video showcasing the work of PSOs across Australia.

Apply now to join as a PSO recruit in 2024, with multiple courses scheduled at the AFP College. To learn more visit www.afp.gov.au/pso

Case study 1: PSO deployed to the 2023 Pacific Games

Bailey has shown how quickly the AFP can take your career to an exciting direction. After graduating earlier in 2023 - he has already been deployed to Solomon Islands, helping Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) deliver a safe and secure Pacific Games.

Bailey said the opportunity to go to the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands allowed me the opportunity to work with so many people with different experiences within the AFP.

“Working with PSO’s, Federal Agents and ACT Policing was a great way to get exposure to the opportunities that are presented within the AFP and to network with people all over the country,” he said.

“This experience presented the opportunity to work alongside our partners like the Navy and Australian Army, meeting new people in different organisations and learning more about the Australian Defence Force.

“Engaging with locals in Honiara has been a big highlight, people with a whole different lifestyle and way of living that puts into perspective the diversity of these Pacific Islands.

Bailey said seeing the culture represented at the opening ceremony through cultural dances and the emotion they showed was really cool to see.

“We assisted the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in their duties for the Games and it was awesome to engage with them and get to know some of them as well,” he said.

Case study 2: PSO engagement with community

In late November, PSOs stationed at Melbourne Headquarters Dulai Wurrung attended Holy Trinity Primary School in Eltham North with AFP Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec as part of a special school engagement opportunity. 

The school students sent the AFP more than 50 letters, thanking police for their work.  

AFP members visited the school to thank the young children for their letters and speak to them about the work police do and how the AFP helps to protect the community and keep Australians safe. 

PSOs assisted the AFP Community Liaison Team (CLT) to present to the young prep students, while demonstrating the capabilities of the AFP PSO vehicle. The young potential recruits also tried on AFP PSO uniforms and were treated to a puppet show.

PSOs are a crucial element to the AFP’s frontline presence in the community and engagements in public, including special events. 

Case study 3: PSO in Geraldton protecting critical sites

Kurt is the officer in charge of the AFP PSOs at Geraldton.

Kurt was at university studying aquaculture when his mum showed him a newspaper ad for the former Australian Protective Service, which is now the AFP’s Protective Service.

“The training course was in Canberra, which was somewhere I had never been and the AFP was going to pay me to travel there to study – I thought ‘sweet’,” he said.

He graduated in 1990 and has worked in multiple places around Australia and been deployed overseas during his career.

Kurt, now 51, has been working in Geraldton since 2016.

“The best parts of the job include the opportunity to work with some great people and contribute to important national security outcomes,” he said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to move around Australia and deploy overseas, so I’ve been paid to see the world.”

Kurt said he wanted to particularly encourage people already living in Geraldton, Exmouth or surrounding towns to apply for the roles.

“It is an asset to have local applicants who already enjoy living in a town and have accommodation and support networks in place,” he said.

“However the AFP provides assistance to people who do relocate.”

He said Geraldton was a great place to work and live.

“It is not that far from Perth but a lot less traffic and there are great sporting and leisure activities. The base has an active social club and we all get along really well.”

He urged other people to consider a career as PSO.

“Give it a crack and make the most of wherever you end up, for however long you are there,” he said.

“There is always opportunity for personal growth and skills enhancement and there are promotional opportunities if you want them and work for them.”

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