Contents

Acknowledgement of Country

1.    Chief Police Officer’s Foreword

2.    Ministerial Direction

3.    ACT Policing at a Glance

Our Role

Our Mission

Our Intent

Our Values

Our Governance

Our Budget

Our Approach

Our Performance

Our Challenges

Operation Pemberton

Our People

Our Future

Our Community

4.    Performance Analysis

2024–25 Snapshot

Performance Measures

Other Reporting

5.    Professional Standards

AFP Professional Standards Framework and AFP Conduct Issues

ACT Policing Complaint Statistics

Trends Analysis

6.    Use of Force

7.    Staffing Profile

Average Full-Time Equivalent and Headcount

ACT Policing Workforce Composition Headcount

Average Length of Service by Gender

Separations

Recruitment

8.    Financials

Financial Performance

Financial Analysis

Asset Management

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Federal Police acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community.

We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past, present and emerging.

1. Chief Police Officer’s Foreword

• Operational overview
• Investing in our workforce
• Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit
• Engagement with First Nations communities
• Expansion of online reporting
• Operation Archon
• Combatting hate crime

It is an honour to present the ACT Policing Annual Report for 2024–25 as the Chief Police Officer for the ACT.

The past 12 months have been incredibly busy, yet a year of strong performance for ACT Policing. We remain committed to delivering a professional, effective and community-focused policing service to the people of the ACT. This dedication is supported by our diverse and inclusive workforce, who continue to apply intelligence-led, evidence-based and innovative strategies to reduce crime, enhance safety, and engage meaningfully with our community.

Under the ACT Policing Strategy 2024–27 the ACT Policing pillars focus on highly visible, responsive and proactive policing, a healthy, professional and skilled workforce, collaborating with our partners and enhancing our capabilities.

As the Chief Police Officer for the ACT my highest priority is continuing to target resources where they are most effective, conduct focused crime prevention activities and work across the broader justice system with our government and non-government partners to address the root causes of crime. This is the cornerstone for the delivery of the ACT Policing mission of ‘Policing for a safer community’.

Operational overview

Canberra remains one of the safest cities in Australia and ACT Policing is committed to ensuring that continues.

In 2024–25 ACT Policing attended over 51,000 incidents, averaging approximately 142 incidents per day. Community satisfaction with police services and confidence in police remains high continuing the trend of a reduction of reportable offences over the past five years. We are dedicated in our mission to reduce crime and increase public safety, and have had positive results in 2024–25.

ACT Policing continues to respond to the challenges of illicit drug use, mental health incidents and ongoing domestic family and domestic violence cases. Tackling these issues requires a multi-agency response, and the community can be assured that collaboration with our partners remains a cornerstone of ACT Policing’s Strategic Direction.

In 2024–25 our Drugs and Organised Crime Team made 866 illicit drug seizures, preventing over 1,200 kilograms of harmful drugs from entering the community. This has significantly disrupted organised crime networks and their ability to profit from drug sales in the ACT and beyond.

Despite the tragic loss of eight lives on Canberra roads in 2024–25, our proactive road safety initiatives have made a significant impact. More than 100,000 drink and drug driving tests were conducted, resulting in over 950 charges. Legislative changes related to immediate licence suspensions, vehicle seizures and expanded roadside drug testing are being actively utilised to enhance road safety.

ACT Policing continues to work collaboratively with partner agencies to target Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and other organised crime groups. Our targeted operational plans have addressed community safety concerns.

The North District Community Engagement Strategy has received positive feedback from the public, thanks to proactive high-visibility patrolling, road policing operations and tailored engagement with residents and community groups.

Operation City Safe, conducted in July 2024, successfully addressed criminal and anti-social behaviour in the City and Braddon precincts, resulting in 45 arrests and 59 cautions or move-on notices. These efforts are guided by an intelligence-led strategy, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest need based on real-time data and analysis.

Investing in our workforce

A healthy, professional and skilled workforce is crucial to our success. Our headcount and full-time equivalent numbers continue to grow, meeting the ACT Government’s commitment to strengthen ACT Policing and ensure we can respond to the needs of a growing city.

On 19 June 2023 the ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Police and Crime Prevention announced a significant funding increase for ACT Policing, with an extra $107 million to fund 126 additional positions over the next five years. This commitment was further extended in the lead-up to the October 2024 election, with plans to recruit and train an additional 24 police officers, boosting our total resourcing increase to 150 officers by 2029. We are well on track to meet this commitment.

In the 2024–25 financial year 89 recruits commenced training, and our sworn headcount increased by 3.37 per cent. We are also proud to have the second-highest percentage of female staff in the country among policing organisations.

Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit

Since its launch in mid-2024 the Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit (DFVIU) has carried out holistic investigations and case management of high-risk domestic and family violence (DFV) matters. This approach aims to reduce the risk and incidence of DFV homicide in the ACT and repeat calls for service, while ensuring a consistent response to DFV incidents.

Our holistic DFV investigations model considers individual incidents in the context of the broader DFV relationship, providing a single point of contact for victims. This model is based on extensive analysis and consultation with external partners, including the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS), Family Violence Safety Action Program (FVSAP) and academic experts in DFV.

Ongoing enhancements include a revised DFV training continuum developed in partnership with the ACT Government’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Office, which is also providing funding for specialist coercive control training.

Sadly there were 4,478 domestic and family violence-related incidents reported to ACT Policing in 2024–25, averaging 12 incidents per day. During this period the DFVIU laid 163 charges related to DFV incidents, with 72 of these charges leading to arrests.

Engagement with First Nations communities

Strengthening the connection between law enforcement and our First Nations communities and fostering a relationship based on mutual respect and trust, remains a key priority for ACT Policing.

As I outlined in my opening statement in the 2023–2028 ACT Policing Strategy for Engagement with First Nations People and Communities, ACT Policing acknowledges the long history of poor engagement between First Nations people and police agencies, including our own. ACT Policing is committed to listening to hard truths and recognises a shared responsibility and a unique opportunity to work with our partners and stakeholders to ensure all First Nations people and communities in the ACT feel safe and supported.

Our comprehensive Policing Strategy for Engagement with First Nations People and Communities 2023–2028, developed in close consultation with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, is now well in place. It encompasses 28 targeted actions for change and outlines how ACT Policing engages, consults and builds positive relationships with our stakeholder

communities. ACT Policing recognises that there is a long but shared road ahead towards building a strong, positive and trusting relationship between ACT Policing and First Nations people and communities.

The reinvigorated Chief Police Officer’s Advisory Board provides an avenue for direct community feedback and considers strategic issues regarding our engagement with First Nations peoples in the ACT. We continue to implement recommendations from the Ombudsman’s Own Motion Investigation, with five recommendations fully implemented and four partially implemented.

Our First Nations Cultural Literacy Training Program has been positively received, encouraging our members to critically reflect on their cultural assumptions, biases and stereotypes. This mandatory training has been delivered to over 750 ACT Policing members and now includes yarning circles for direct engagement with local First Nations Elders and community representatives.

Expansion of online reporting

To foster community engagement and encourage crime reporting, ACT Policing continues to explore innovative solutions and enhanced digital engagement. Our online reporting portal was enhanced in 2024–25 to offer more choice and convenience for the Canberra community. The portal now includes reporting of minor theft, retail theft and lost property matters online, demonstrating a growing need for multiple reporting options.

The online reporting portal has provided an efficient mechanism for the community to work in partnership with ACT Policing, particularly in keeping our roads safe. Over the last year 1,816 online Dangerous Driving reports were received, resulting in 1,121 Traffic Infringement Notices and 249 Cautions being issued.

Ongoing development of the portal is driven by community feedback and the needs of ACT Policing and our partners. Our focus moving forward will be a secure partner agency portal for streamlined, secure interagency information sharing.

Operation Archon

I commend the work of everyone involved in facilitating the Guest of Government visit of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. The success of this visit, involving complex logistics, security, and protocol, relied on the professionalism and expertise of ACT Policing members, particularly those in Emergency Management and Planning.

Combatting hate crime

There is absolutely no place for anti-semitism in Canberra. This inclusive and welcoming city must remain that way. While we have seen a significant increase in hate crimes, particularly anti-semitic incidents across Australia, we have not experienced the same number of incidents in the ACT. However, we take this issue seriously and will respond quickly and appropriately.

ACT Policing has conducted high-visibility patrols around Jewish Centres and other communities to ensure safety and reassurance. Operation Balranald, established in December 2024, coordinates responses to anti-semitic incidents in the ACT. We also engage with AFP Special Operation Avalite to investigate anti-semitic incidents.

Regular communication with representatives of our Jewish community ensures their concerns are heard, and we provide the necessary assistance to ensure everyone feels safe.

I am proud of the hard work, dedication, and resilience shown by all members of ACT Policing, including our corporate staff. Each member contributes to our success, and I am confident that ACT Policing will remain responsive to any challenges, continually exploring ways to innovate and improve to be a leading policing jurisdiction in Australia.

Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee APM

Chief Police Officer for the ACT

2. Ministerial Direction

This Ministerial Direction is issued under section 7 of the Policing Arrangement between the Ministers of the Commonwealth and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Governments and outlines the ACT Government’s priorities and expectations for the AFP and more specifically the Chief Police Officer (CPO).

This Direction is to be read in conjunction with the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement between the ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the AFP Commissioner and the CPO.

This Direction supersedes and revokes the Direction issued on 28 October 2019.

The ACT Government is committed to the community’s wellbeing including ensuring Canberrans are, and feel, safe and secure around their homes, community and online. ACT Policing plays a key role in supporting the ACT Government’s commitment to the Safety domain in the Wellbeing Framework. My expectation is that ACT Policing delivers all functions under the Policing Arrangement 2017 and 2022–26 Purchase Agreement and will focus its activities to keep the peace and preserve public safety within the ACT.

In the current environment, the expected focus areas for ACT Policing are:

Transition to the Police Services Model

• Continue transitioning to a more prevention and community-focused Police Services Model (PSM) that better supports ACT Government and community priorities. The PSM will be: intelligence led, evidence based, agile and mobile, and systemic.
• Enhance digital engagement to ensure ACT Policing continues to evolve in line with community expectations.

Reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• As part of the ACT Government’s justice reinvestment strategy and the focus on pillar one of the Reducing Recidivism in the ACT by 25% by 2025 (RR25by25) Plan, in recognition of the disadvantages and challenges facing the ACT’s First Nations community and national work to close the gap on this disadvantage, work with the ACT Government to support the community to help reduce overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.
• Design and implement an ACT Policing engagement framework in consultation with the ACT’s First Nations community. This includes implementing agreed recommendations from the Ombudsman report on ACT Policing’s administrative framework for engagement with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Implement effective sexual assault prevention and responses

• Focus on the priority of effectively responding to sexual violence against children and adults as a strategic crime type. Work together with the Coordinator-General for Family Safety to implement the ACT Government’s response to the SAPR Steering Committee’s recommendations in the Listen, Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal report.
• Continue to review and improve ACT Policing operations’ response to sexual violence where care of the victim survivor is the core consideration.

Raising the age of minimum criminal responsibility

• Support the ACT Government’s priority reform to raise the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) in the Territory. Continue engagement with key ACT Government directorates to identify areas of consideration in supporting the transition to these arrangements.

Combat dangerous driving

• Work with key areas of ACT Government to combat dangerous driving in both prevention and post-incident response.
• Take action to improve road safety, with emphasis on reducing road trauma experienced by vulnerable road users and combating anti-social and dangerous behaviours including speeding and driving while impaired or distracted.

Countering terrorism and violent extremism

• Continue to counter the threat of terrorism and violent extremism by strengthening the safety of the ACT’s public places in line with national strategies and best practice; and developing a fixated threat capability to meet the government’s obligations under the October 2017 Council of Australian Governments agreement.

In addition to a focus on these specific priority areas, it is my expectation that ACT Policing will continue to provide a professional, effective and efficient, policing service to the ACT community. This should be achieved through evidence-based and innovative strategies to meet the outcomes of the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement to reduce crime, increase public safety and engage with community and partners locally and nationally.

In achieving this, I expect ACT Policing to:

• Remain adaptive to the changing environment
  • Continue to work with ACT Government and the community to build understanding of the resource pressures and impacts on community policing in responding to, and building permanent capabilities to address, significant natural disasters, pandemics and resultant social political and protest activity.
• Collaborate effectively with ACT Government, its agencies and stakeholders
  • Being transparent and responsive, and actively engage with partner agencies on holistic approaches to complex social issues in support of the ACT Government’s policy agenda.
• Maintain an efficient, effective workforce
  • Maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce that is committed to the wellbeing and health of its people so that it can continue to deliver a professional, innovative and effective policing service in a dynamic environment for the ACT community.

I note that Clauses 3 and 6 of the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement introduce a new requirement for ACT Policing to publish an annual CPO Statement of Intent (SOI). I look forward to receiving the strategies and plans that ACT Policing will put in place to address the ACT Government’s key priorities and this Ministerial Direction, and ACT Policing’s report on progress and outcomes against the SOI in the ACT Policing Annual Report.

Yours sincerely

Mick Gentleman MLA

Minister for Police and Emergency Services

28 September 2022

3. ACT Policing at a Glance

• Our Role
• Our Mission
• Our Intent
• Our Values
• Our Governance
• Our Budget
• Our Approach
• Our Performance
• Our Challenges
• Our People
• Our Future
• Our Community

Our Role

Through the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement with the AFP, ACT Policing is responsible for providing quality and effective policing services to the people of the ACT. We do this in partnership with the community and the ACT Government.

Our Mission

Our mission is Policing for a safer community.

Our Intent

Our pillars focus on highly visible, responsive and proactive policing, a healthy, professional and skilled workforce, collaborating with our partners and enhancing our capabilities.

ACT Policing continues to target resources where they are most effective, conduct focused crime prevention activities and work across the broader justice system with government and non- government partners to address the root causes of crime.

Our Values

We pride ourselves on being a values-driven organisation. Our core values of integrity, commitment, excellence, accountability, fairness, respect and trust represent our principles and standards — the values we uphold in performing our professional duties.

Our Governance

The key documents which govern the delivery of policing services to the ACT are the Policing Arrangement, 2022–26 Purchase Agreement and Ministerial Direction.

Policing Arrangement

The AFP is a statutory authority established by the Federal Parliament under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979. The AFP delivers policing services to the ACT as a separate outcome under a contractual arrangement between the Commonwealth Government and the ACT Government.

2022–26 Purchase Agreement

The Policing Arrangement provides for the negotiation of a 2022–26 Purchase Agreement between the AFP and the ACT Government. The agreement details the outcomes, outputs, performance measures, targets and facilities to be provided, the powers and obligations of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Chief Police Officer (CPO), and associated administrative arrangements.

The main shared ACT Government Outcomes are:

• Prevent Crime – Prevent crime and violence.
• Reduce Recidivism – Reduce repeat offending.
• Prevent Road Deaths and Trauma – Collaborate with partner agencies to improve and promote road safety through education, innovation and targeted enforcement.

The main ACT Policing Operational Outcomes are:

• Divert – Increase support for early intervention and diversion.
• Disrupt – Conduct proactive operations to prevent and disrupt crime.
• Respond
  • Improve responsiveness to calls and incidents taking into consideration public and police safety.
  • Respond to emergencies and disasters.
• Enforce – Increase police proceedings through both court and non-court outcomes.
• Community Confidence
  • Increase community confidence in police.
  • Enhance and strengthen resilience of communities.
  • Increase support for early intervention and diversion.

Alignment with ACT Government Priorities

The Policing Arrangement allows the Minister for Police and Emergency Services to provide general directions to ACT Policing (in writing) through a Ministerial Direction. The Ministerial Direction gives guidance on specific areas of focus relating to policy, priorities and goals for the provision of police services, without issuing directions on operational matters (see Chapter 2: Ministerial Direction).

Chief Police Officer’s Statement of Intent

ACT Policing publishes an annual CPO’s Statement of Intent (SOI), which sets out strategies and plans ACT Policing will implement to address the ACT Government’s key priorities and the Ministerial Direction. Achievements against the SOI will be recorded in subsequent Annual Reports.

Further details of the Policing Arrangement, the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement, the Ministerial Direction and the CPO’s SOI are available via ACT Policing’s website at: www.police.act.gov.au/about-us/government-directions.

Our Budget

Under the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement the funding provided by the ACT Government to the AFP for delivery of policing services in 2024–25 was $231.582 million.

The total price includes enabling costs and direct funding from the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) for crime prevention initiatives (see Chapter 8: Financials).

Our Approach

Our approach is underpinned by a series of strategies and initiatives that support the outcomes set out in the Performance Measure Framework:

Prevent Crime

Continued support of the ACT Property Crime Prevention Strategy, by promoting innovative and enduring crime prevention strategies and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur or reoccur.

Enhancing our response to, and the investigation of, offences by forging strong relationships with stakeholders to facilitate whole-of-government and cross-jurisdictional information sharing and collaboration.

Applying technology and forensic science capabilities, and effectively harnessing intelligence from a wide range of sources.

Providing effective and efficient support to the judicial process by maintaining a robust partnership with the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions and delivering high-standard briefs in a timely manner.

Facilitating a more efficient criminal justice system with an emphasis on timely preventive justice measures and judicial processes.

Reduce Recidivism

ACT Policing Intelligence continues to work with ACT Policing Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team in producing measurement and analytical tools for the purpose of understanding and treating recidivism and reducing impacts on the ACT community.

Prevent Road Deaths and Trauma

The ACT Government works closely with ACT Policing to develop and implement strategies to improve road safety and reduce anti-social and dangerous driving behaviours. These include joint education campaigns in line with the Road Safety Calendar, focused on improving road culture and driving behaviour. Additional initiatives include Operation TORIC and periodic high-visibility traffic enforcement operations on Canberra’s roads.

ACT Policing will continue to enforce the ACT’s laws and interact with those drivers that choose to do the wrong thing on Canberra’s roads.

Police continue to witness and prosecute dangerous driving incidents that include components of the ‘fatal five’ – impaired driving (alcohol and drug), failing to stop at intersections, excessive speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and driving while distracted – in addition to driving on the wrong side of the road and failing to stop for police.

Our Performance

ACT Policing’s performance is measured by the Performance Measure Framework, which incorporates two major outcomes and a series of strategies, initiatives and targets, as articulated in the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement.

The overarching budgetary outcome of the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement is to work in partnership with the community, to create a safer and more secure ACT through the provision of quality policing services. The Performance Measure Framework aims to enhance accountability for the delivery of services and provide clear links between ACT Policing’s outcomes, outputs, strategies and individual measures.

ACT Policing’s two sets of outcomes (Shared ACT Government and ACT Policing Operational Outcomes) are supported by 21 Performance Measures.

Performance Measures are described in detail in Chapter 4: Performance Analysis

Our Challenges

Major challenges and demands presented to ACT Policing during 2024–25 included:

• Officer safety: Officer safety is of the utmost importance. The ACT is continuing to see police officers and the community put at risk by recidivist dangerous drivers, including fail-to-stop offenders.
• Road safety and fatalities: The 2024–25 financial year saw eight fatalities on our roads in addition to other serious and life-changing injuries. Road safety is a priority for ACT Policing, resulting in efforts to significantly increase high-visibility operations in 2024–25.
• Increased demand for priority response: Over the last five years the number of Triple Zero (000) calls to the Police Operations Centre has increased. The centre now receives, on average, over 3,300 per month.
• Youth crime: ACT Policing continues to work collaboratively with key stakeholders as part of a multi-agency response to youth crime in the ACT, to identify those youths (of all ages) who need assistance and guidance, and divert them away from the criminal justice system.
• Combating recidivism: Recidivism continues to be an issue ACT Policing actively considers and acts on – with resources allocated to both support individuals identified as recidivist offenders as well as programs to reduce the chances of individuals offending in the first place. Dangerous driving is a concern in this space with many incidents occurring in 2024–25 where offenders repeatedly ignored court conditions, reoffended while on bail and engaged in a range of other serious offences.
• Domestic and family violence: ACT Policing continues to see an upward trend in calls for assistance for domestic and family violence matters with a 33 per cent increase in reported incidents in the past five years. Work is underway to design and deliver enhanced domestic and family violence training for ACT Policing officers to increase officers’ knowledge and understanding of coercive control and trauma-informed best practice.
• Sexual assault prevention and response: Our dedicated sexual assault training and new oversight processes deliver consistency of response and ensure the support and assistance we provide to victims of sexual assault is based on a trauma-informed and victim-centric approach. ACT Policing continues to work closely with victim support groups to deliver a high level of support and care to victim-survivors.
• Serious and organised crime: ACT Policing works closely with interstate policing partners, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and other stakeholders across the country and internationally to maximise the impact we have to prevent and disrupt organised crime and illicit profit-making enterprises in the ACT.
• Reducing the over-representation of First Nations peoples in the justice system: ACT Policing acknowledges the significant challenge of over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system. ACT Policing works in partnership with the ACT Government, First Nations peoples, non-government organisations and the community to develop and deliver programs which better support people who come to the attention of police.
• Use of Force: Police are provided with significant responsibility and powers to protect and ensure the safety of the community. ACT Policing acknowledges the need for transparency and accountability for ACT Policing. ACT Policing is committed to transparency and continuous improvement to ensure that our policies, training and procedures are continually enhanced to support members and meet community expectations.

Case study: Operation Pemberton

Operation Pemberton was undertaken by ACT Policing’s Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit (DFVIU) to target both high-risk Domestic Family Violence (DFV) offenders in the ACT and those who had fled the jurisdiction.

To achieve these results, the DFVIU team worked with officers from stations across Canberra to locate and arrest alleged offenders accused of DFV offences who had avoided accountability for their alleged crimes. The team also worked with other state and territory police to locate, arrest and extradite alleged offenders.

In one particular case, related to offences committed in the ACT in March 2021, a man was alleged to have committed common assault, property damage and stolen motor vehicle offences. The victim was the man’s partner at the time.

The man was arrested and received bail to appear at a later date. He failed to appear and a warrant was issued for his arrest in February 2022.

Some time later he was subsequently charged in NSW for serious offences and spent a significant period of time on remand before being released on parole.

The DFVIU officers liaised with NSW Police Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team and the man was arrested on 11 July 2024 in Sydney on the ACT warrant.

His extradition was approved the following day and he was transported to Canberra where he faced the ACT Magistrates Court regarding the existing charges from 2021 in addition to charges relating to his failure to appear in court.

The work by officers under Operation Pemberton demonstrated ACT Policing’s ongoing commitment to holding DFV offenders to account, no matter when the offence occurred. Operation Pemberton was finalised in late 2024.

The DFVIU continues to prioritise the arrests of outstanding DFV alleged offenders, including supporting general duties with extraditions from interstate.

Our People

The CPO is accountable to the ACT Minister for Police and Crime Prevention for the achievements and outcomes set out in the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement and Ministerial Direction.

The CPO is also responsible for the management of personnel and resources used to deliver police services to the ACT community. CPO supported by five functional streams: Deputy Chief Police Officer, Operations, Investigations, Corporate and Strategic Accommodation.

Information about ACT Policing personnel can be found in Chapter 7: Staffing Profile.

Figure 3.1. ACT Policing organisational structure as at 30 June 2025

Figure 3.2. ACT Policing patrol zones as at 30 June 2025

Our Future

At ACT Policing we are focusing on research and innovation to remain contemporary and agile in the dynamic operating environment, supporting our ability to achieve operational outcomes and build confidence in the Canberra community.

The ACT Policing Futures capability is continuing to ensure ACT Policing evolves in line with an innovation-driven policing agency, adapting swiftly and sustainably to change and delivering an efficient and effective policing service to meet the future needs of the ACT community.

Through undertaking research and projects that align with the pillars of the ACT Policing Strategic Direction 2024–27, the Ministerial Direction and the CPO’s Statement of Intent, the Futures team supports ACT Policing’s vision of a highly visible, responsive and proactive police service that is underpinned by a healthy, professional and skilled workforce committed to continuously improving capabilities and working collaboratively with partners.

Areas of focus during 2024–25 include:

• Technology projects driven by rapid innovation and resourcing pressures to optimise operational outcomes, enhance public accessibility and create a more positive experience for the community.
• Supporting members’ wellbeing so our people are engaged, healthy and resilient.
• Research delivery guided by fundamental principles to generate outcomes which inform and enhance policing practices and methodologies.
• Identifying new and enhanced processes and capabilities to drive internal efficiencies and more effective allocation of police resources in response to current demands and member workloads.

Through working collaboratively with AFP and external partners, high-quality sustainable solutions were delivered with wide adoption bringing benefits both to ACT Policing and the community.

Our Community

ACT Policing is working to address ACT Government key priority policy objectives

• 204 referrals to Early Intervention & Drug Diversion Program
• 10,129 ThinkUKnow Program delivered
• 5,681referrals to SupportLink Services
• 11,094 Victim Liaison Officer contacts
• Completion of the ACT Policing Strategy for Engagement with First Nations People and Communities
• The expansion of ACT Policing’s online reporting to include dangerous driving, theft and lost property
• Co-delivery of the Living Safe Together Intervention Program
• Member of the ACT Disability Justice Strategy Reference Group
• Providing one-on-one support for Family Violence Safety Action Program and Multicultural Hub clients navigating the ACT legal system

Case study: Naloxone – protecting our members

The risk of ACT Policing members being exposed to dangerous opioids has increased in recent times with the prevalence of synthetic opioids throughout Australia presenting a significant threat to the health and safety of members.

Sadly it is not uncommon for ACT Policing to be called to the scene of an overdose which increases the risk of exposure to opioids such as Fentanyl, Nitazenes and Ketamine.

Exposure may occur through inhalation, ingestion or absorption through skin or eyes. In the event of exposure, opioids cause rapid onset of symptoms, which, if not treated promptly, can result in unconsciousness, breathing difficulties and potentially death.

To ensure our members are protected when attending incidents where it is suspected that there has been opioid use, ACT Policing’s Injury Management and Prevention Team have facilitated the introduction of Naloxone alongside first aid kits.

This lifesaving medication can treat accidental exposure to opioids or an opioid overdose.

Naloxone counteracts and reverses the effects of the opioid drug by rapidly displacing opioids from opioid ‘receptors’ in the body. Naloxone reverses respiratory depression which, if not treated early, may cause death. It is a conveniently packaged, ready-for-single-use, intra-nasal spray with a regulated dosage. Nasal Naloxone generally takes effect within minutes, with the ability to administer multiple doses 2–3 minutes apart if the casualty’s condition does not improve following the initial dose.

With police officers often being the first on scene, it can also be administered to a member of the public where an opioid overdose is suspected supporting the principles of first aid to preserve life, prevent further harm and promote recovery.

This is a significant benefit to the community but also to police officers because preventing a drug overdose death will reduce the harmful trauma they face when dealing with these situations.

Case study: Safe Summer Campaign

ACT Policing’s ‘Sergeant Geoff says... Have a Safe Summer’ social campaign ran from 11 December 2024 to 28 February 2025 encouraging safe attitudes and behaviours, particularly in relation to alcohol, partying and personal safety.

The summer months in the ACT historically result in an increase of alcohol-related incidents and arrests due to the increase of traffic, parties and nightlife in licensed venues, along with public holidays and events such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

The annual Safe Summer campaign targets teenagers and young adults who consume alcohol and/or drugs to varying levels. To effectively engage with these patrons, digital video and still image advertising was promoted across social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat.

Print media was displayed within licenced venues and local notice boards across Canberra City. The campaign’s namesake, Sergeant Geoff Hyde from Territory Targeting Team (TTT), handed out stickers promoting the Safe Summer campaign. An addition to this year’s campaign was Mini-Sergeant Geoff, a lookalike puppet who helped break stereotypes that police officers are serious all the time, and are approachable and there to help.

The publicly well-received campaign was a result of collaboration across many different teams within ACT Policing. These included Strategic Communications, Media, Production, Digital Engagement, the ACT Policing Executive team, TTT and Constable Kenny Koala.

The campaign also relied on the work of many external stakeholders. These included the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Marisa Paterson, and Canberra licenced venues, in addition to St John Ambulance ACT who provided a safe environment within the Canberra CBD through the CBR Night Crew program. Furthermore the Sobering Up Shelter offered a voluntary, confidential service that provides overnight support, care and monitoring for people over the age of 18 recovering from alcohol and other drug intoxication.

Sergeant Hyde acknowledged increased engagement from patrons recognising him from the social media promotion, which saw both he and Mini-Sergeant Geoff frequently asked to partake in selfies.

ACT Policing’s social media channels played a big role in the campaign with the highest-performing post – which focused on one-punch assaults – receiving more than 544,253 impressions, while the ‘It’s Time to Go When They Say So’ video performed well with 21,682 views.

Operationally, TTT advised that Canberra patrons were generally well behaved over the busy summer period and the team, Mini-Sergeant Geoff included, look forward to the next campaign.

Case study: ACT Policing Wellness Program

The ACT Policing Wellness Program was launched on 16 December 2024 and aims to support ACT Policing members in maintaining their physical and mental health.

An initiative of the ACT Policing Futures Team, the program was developed as a direct result of feedback from members, a clear example of member input and ideas resulting in tangible and effective outcomes for the workforce.

The program allows ACT Policing members to use up to 90 minutes per week within normal working hours, for activities which support physical or mental health.

The program is based on research which suggests that regular health-based activity reduces stress and anxiety, increases employee engagement and productivity, reduces absences from work and can improve employee work–life balance.

Since the program launch 394 members have completed the onboarding survey and the Futures team has visited more than 40 ACT Policing teams, including 30 General Duties teams, to discuss the program and receive feedback. This included making changes to better protect the time within General Duties rosters, while still maintaining operational requirements.

Members have been using the wellness time for individual gym sessions or group fitness classes, swimming, walks and runs in the local area, listening to podcasts, reading a book, visiting the police Chaplain or attending health classes.

Use of ACT Policing gyms and group fitness classes have seen a sharp increase in attendance since the start of the program.

Members have already felt the benefits of wellness time and have provided feedback:

“Using the Wellness Program has me feeling part of the team as we do many team activities, where before I’d come to work and then go home.”

“Having time to work out prior to my shift allows me to spend more time with my family.”

“This is a progressive people- centric wellbeing option that many ‘employers of choice’ offer – I am proud that ACT Policing is moving in this direction too!”

“I feel extremely motivated to turn up to work.”

“Being able to maintain my fitness during work hours, I feel happier and less stressed.”

“I have never been fitter or felt better whilst at work which I put down to the program.”

“I feel I can better focus on my work when I am able to get my body moving.”

The success of the program for ACT Policing has seen the initiative expanded across selected areas of the AFP.

4. Performance Analysis

• Performance Measures
• Outcome: Prevent Crime
• Outcome: Reduce Recidivism
• Outcome: Prevent Road Deaths and Trauma
• Outcome: Divert
• Outcome: Disrupt
• Outcome: Respond
• Outcome: Enforce
• Outcome: Community
• Confidence
• Other Reporting

2024 - 25 Snapshot

Community policing

• 51,802 incidents attended
• 4,115 mental health related incidents attended
• 4,012 arrests made
• 1,227 summons issued
• 4,478 domestic & family violence incidents attended
• 597 intoxicated persons lodged in protective

Media

• 568 media releases issued
• 651 media enquiry responses provided

Online reporting

• 127 reports of historic sexual assault
• 1,086 reports for property damage & vandalism
• 401 reports of petrol drive offs
• 469 reports of minor theft *this data is from 14 May 2025 to 30 June 2025*
• 1,816 reports of dangerous driving
• 137 reports of lost property *this data is from 14 May 2025 to 30 June 2025*

Social media

• 65,362 X followers (ACT Policing & Traffic channels)
• 1,162,344 X impressions
• 30,668 Instagram followers
• 5,969,441 Instagram impressions
• 169,043 Facebook followers
• 60,532,734 Facebook impressions

Community engagement

• 25+ community requests facilitated
• 29 community events attended

ACT Policing website

• 1.8m+ unique page views police.act.gov.au * since October 2024 ACT Policing has transitioned to one website

Orders & briefs

• 1,800+ family violence orders
• 1,018 personal protection orders
• 1,395 hearing briefs delivered to Director of Public Prosecution

Intervention

• 5,681 referrals to community support agencies
• 17 restorative justice conferences
• 866 drug seizures
• 204 referrals to Early Intervention & Drug Diversion Program

Constable Kenny Koala (CKK) program

• 1,486 class presentations
• 33 community events attended
• 27,957 students visited
• 21,000 unique page views for CKK website

Performance Measures

ACT Policing, in partnership with the community, is creating a safer and more secure ACT through the provision of quality police services.

On 25 November 2022 the ACT Minister for Police and Crime Prevention, the AFP Commissioner and the CPO announced the start of the new four-year ACT Policing 2022–26 Purchase Agreement.

The agreement details the policing services purchased by the ACT Government from the AFP. The new agreement remains a high-level, principles-based document that seeks to provide guidance on how ACT Policing and the ACT Government work together to provide a community policing capability consistent with the ACT community’s expectations.

Key changes under the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement include:

• Earlier emphasis on the AFP’s obligation to align policing services with ACT Government priorities in recognition of the overarching policy environment within which ACT Policing operates.
• Enhancing the governance for enabling services through service level agreements in place between ACT Policing and the AFP.
• The introduction of an annual CPO’s Statement of Intent, which will set out strategies and plans ACT Policing will implement to address the ACT Government’s key priorities and the Ministerial Direction.
• The Performance Measure Framework (Schedule 1 of the Agreement) now appropriately differentiates Shared ACT Government Outcomes from Key Performance Indicators, with the latter focused on operational outcomes within the control of ACT Policing.
• This recognises ACT Policing as part of a multi-agency response supporting the ACT Government in navigating complex social issues. Additionally, the new targets are designed to be more consistent and fluid, and therefore more contemporaneous, allowing ACT Policing to analyse any potential underlying issues in data and/or policies.
• The 2022–26 Purchase Agreement outlines 21 Performance Measures under two sets of outcomes, against which ACT Policing’s performance is measured.

A full summary of all offences reported and cleared by ACT Policing, in addition to the number of proceedings against offenders, can be found in Appendices 3–6.

The 2022–26 Purchase Agreement includes three Performance Measures (16, 19 and 20) based on the results of the National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing. The National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing is a telephone survey (landline and mobile telephone numbers) which measures community perceptions on a range of policing-related issues. These issues include satisfaction with policing services, feelings of safety, concern about potential victimisation and beliefs about police behaviour. During 2024–25, 2,001 ACT residents participated in the survey, with 20,659 people participating nationally.

The following data in this chapter provides an overview of each Performance Measure against the 2024–25 target, the achieved result and the reason for variation, if any.

Data for the selected Performance Measures and comparison tables was extracted from ACT Policing’s case management system Police Real-time Online Management Information System (PROMIS) on 2 July 2025. It is important to note that ACT Policing’s database is live and crime data is continually revised, therefore crime statistics may differ depending on the date of extraction.

Shared ACT Government Outcomes

Outcome: Prevent Crime

Performance Measure 1 – Number of offences against the person reported or becoming known per 100,000 population

• Date range: 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025
• Monitor: 5 year trend
• Result: 895.5

Figure 4.1. Total offences against the person reported or becoming known per 100,000 population – 5-year trend

_{Source: PROMIS, 2 July 2025}

There were 895.5 offences against the person reported or becoming known per 100,000 population in 2024–25.

* Other offences against the person include kidnapping and abduction, threatening behaviour and other dangerous and negligent acts.

Figure 4.2. Total offences against the person reported or becoming known 2015–16 to 2024–25

There was a total of 4,234 offences against the person reported to ACT Policing in 2024–25. This was a decrease of 3.7 per cent (or 161 offences) compared to 2023–24.

Overall assault offences in 2024–25 decreased by 3.3 per cent compared to 2023–24.

Of those assault offences reported to ACT Policing, 44.9 per cent were domestic and family violence related, as shown in Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3. Proportion of domestic and family violence related assaults 2015–16 to 2024–25

Case Study: Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit

Since its launch in 2024 the Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit (DFVIU) has carried out holistic investigations and case-management of high-risk Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) matters. The aim of the unit is to reduce the risk and incidence of DFV homicide in the ACT and repeat calls for service, while ensuring a consistent response to DFV incidents.

Police response to DFV has traditionally focussed on the investigation of stand-alone incidents. ACT Policing recognised this model does not always meet the needs of DFV victim-survivors as many experience DFV not as incidents but as chronic fear and control, highlighted by incidents, over an extended period of time.

When only focused on standalone incidents, responding officers and the courts are not informed by the broader history and context of the relationship. What’s more, requiring a victim-survivor to re-tell their story to a new officer each time is a barrier to reporting and is not victim centric or trauma informed.

The benefits of a holistic DFV investigations model include consideration of individual incidents in the context of the broader DFV relationship, and a single point of contact for victims-survivors.

How the model was created

The unit and operating model design is based on extensive analysis and consultation with external partners including the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Family Violence Safety Action Program and academic experts in DFV. The team will continue to evaluate and make adjustments based on what works and what could be improved.

What we do and how we do it

The team consists of sworn and unsworn members who work in varying roles, including Child Protection Liaison Officers who manage most referrals between ACT Policing and external organisations.

Referrals to DFVIU can come from:

• patrol, based on risk of lethality and/or repeat violence
• intelligence-led identification of high-risk cases and cases causing repeat calls for service
• direct-referral pathways from DFV sector partners including:
  • Domestic Violence Crisis Service
  • Family Violence Safety Action Program
  • Women’s Legal Centre ACT

The work of the DFVIU in 2024–25

Sadly there were a total of 4,478 DFV related incidents reported to ACT Policing in 2024–25; that’s an average of 12 DFV incidents reported per day.

During this period the DFVIU laid 163 charges related to DFV incidents. These charges related to 36 individual offenders.

Future enhancements

A revised DFV training continuum for all ACT Policing officers is being developed in partnership with ACT Government’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Office who are providing the funding for specialist coercive control training.

Performance Measure 2 – Number of offences against property reported or becoming known per 100,000 population

Figure 4.4. Offences against property reported or becoming known per 100,000 population – 5-year trend

There were 2,957.9 property offences reported or becoming known per 100,000 population in 2024–25. Figure 4.4 shows a long-term downward trend for reported property offences per 100,000 population.

Figure 4.5. Total offences reported against property 2015–16 to 2024–25

There was a total of 13,985 offences against property reported to ACT Policing in 2024–25. This was a decrease of 7.1 per cent (or 1,069 offences) compared to 2023–24.

Table 4.2. Offences against property by offence type – financial year comparison

* Other offences against property include fraud and misappropriation, handling of stolen goods, environmental offences, blackmail and extortion, and other property offences not elsewhere classified.

_{Source: PROMIS, 2 July 2025}

As of 1 January 2025 ACT Policing has expanded its roadside drug testing program to include cocaine, in addition to cannabis, methamphetamines and MDMA. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance road safety and reduce drug-impaired driving incidents in the ACT.

Despite recent changes in drug possession laws, including the decriminalisation of cannabis, drug driving remains a serious offence due to the significant risks it poses to road safety. The ACT maintains a zero-tolerance approach to drug driving, making it an offence to have any illicit drug in your system. Similar to alcohol, drugs can severely affect driving abilities and increase the likelihood of a collision.

The impact of the new law was immediate. Just hours after it took effect, a 19-year-old male was stopped for random drug and alcohol testing in Campbell and tested positive for cocaine. He was subsequently taken to City Police Station, where a secondary test confirmed the presence of cocaine. The male was convicted in April 2025 and was issued a Good Behaviour Order.

Drivers in the ACT caught with cocaine in their system may face fines of up to $4,000 and a default license disqualification of six months. In January 2025 alone ACT Policing conducted 488 roadside drug tests. There were 45 oral fluid samples that tested positive for illicit drugs, 12 of these were positive for cocaine, representing 26.7 per cent of positive tests.

Drug and drink driving are among the top five contributing factors to death and serious injury on ACT roads. Keeping impaired drivers off the roads is a key priority for ACT Policing. In the 2024–25 financial year ACT Road Policing conducted 99,181 Random Breath Tests and 3,767 Roadside Drug Tests, resulting in 628 charges for drink driving and 331 charges for drug driving.

Outcome: Reduce Recidivism

Performance Measure 3 – Proportion of offenders proceeded against by police more than once within the previous 12 months

The proportion of offenders proceeded against by police more than once in 2024–25 was 20.6 per cent. This continues the downward trend since 2019–20 and is the equal lowest proportion of offenders proceeded against more than once in the last five years.

Outcome: Prevent Road Deaths and Trauma

Performance Measure 4 – Number of road crashes resulting in death per 100,000

Figure 4.8. Road fatalities per 100,000 population

Source: PROMIS, 2 July 2025 and Australian Road Deaths Database, 30 June 2025

The number of road crashes resulting in death per 100,000 in 2024–25 was 1.7.

Performance Measure 5 – Number of road crashes resulting in injury per 100,000

The number of road crashes resulting in injury per 100,000 in 2024–25 was 73.0.

Figure 4.10. Total road crashes resulting in injury

The total number of road crashes resulting in injury in 2024–25 was 345.

ACT Policing Operational Outcomes

Outcome: Divert

Performance Measure 6 – Percentage of eligible young people referred to Restorative Justice

Performance Measure 6.1 Young First Nations peoples

Of the three young First Nations peoples eligible for Restorative Justice in 2024–25, one was not referred, therefore ACT Policing did not meet the 100 per cent referral target for 2024–25.

Performance Measure 6.2 Young Non-First Nations peoples

Of the 35 young non-First Nations peoples eligible for Restorative Justice in 2024–25, two were not referred, therefore ACT Policing did not meet the 100 per cent referral target for 2024–25.

Performance Measure 7 – Percentage of offenders proceeded against by non-court actions (diversions and cautions)

Performance Measure 7.1 First Nations peoples

The percentage of First Nations offenders proceeded against by non-court actions (diversionary conferences, alcohol and drug diversions and cautions) in 2024–25 was 5.7 per cent. This was 0.5 per cent below the target of 6.2 per cent (average over the past five years)

Performance Measure 7.2 Non-First Nations peoples

The percentage of non-First Nations offenders proceeded against by non-court actions (diversionary conferences, alcohol and drug diversions and cautions) in 2024–25 was 12.2 per cent. The result was 0.6 per cent below the target of 12.8 per cent (average over the past five years).

Performance Measure 8 – Number of persons referred to community support agencies (SupportLink)

There were 5,681 referrals to SupportLink in 2024–25, which was 4.3 per cent below the five-year average of 5,935.

SupportLink provides a national referral and diversion gateway for police and other emergency services to participate in early intervention. The role of SupportLink is to reduce crime, suicide, violence, substance abuse, family breakdown and juvenile offending, and to improve support for victims of crime.

The annual target for this measure is based on the average number of persons referred to community support agencies over the previous five years. For the periods covering the COVID-19 pandemic the numbers of referrals declined but have increased since then.

Outcome: Disrupt

Performance Measure 9 – Number of disruption activities (drug related, general person offences, general property offences or organised motorcycle gang related)

Figure 4.11. Number of disruption activities

The number of disruption activities for 2024–25 was 897. Overall, a downward trend in disruption activity since 2019–20 has been observed.

Performance Measure 10 – Disruption Case Study

Case study: Operation Margate: Targeting the cultivation of illicit cannabis

Thousands of illegal cannabis plants worth more than $9 million have been destroyed thanks to the dedication and perseverance of ACT Policing’s Operation Margate.

Operation Margate is an ongoing investigation which began in 2023 and targets the commercial cultivation of cannabis by Vietnamese Organised Crime syndicates operating within the ACT.

While the Drugs and Organised Crime Team have the lead on this operation, the success so far is due to collaboration of multiple areas across the AFP including forensics, specialist areas, Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team, Taskforce Invidia (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs), General Duties and Criminal Assets Investigation.

Working closely with Australian Border Force, New South Wales Police, Queensland Police and Victoria Police Operation Margate has garnered impressive results:

• 14 grow houses dismantled within the ACT.
• 2,613 cannabis plants seized and destroyed worth approximately $9 million in street value.
• An estimated $800,000 worth of hydroponic gear seized and destroyed.
• Four houses (three in ACT, one in NSW) restrained by the Criminal Assets Investigations Team (CAIT), valued at approximately $4.6 million total.
• One vehicle restrained, valued at approximately $10,000.

To date six offenders have been arrested with five pleading guilty and the sixth failing to appear.

One offender was extradited into the care of Victoria Police for a Melbourne County Court warrant for similar offences, post ACT sentencing.

There is also currently one offender in detention awaiting deportation.

Besides the clear hazards posed by illicit substances to the community, the grow house facilities themselves create a dangerous risk.

Between 2019 to 2023 four grow houses within the ACT (all rentals) caught fire due to poor quality electrical work causing significant risk to emergency services and the public. Since 2023 and the instigation of Operation Margate there have been no grow house fires.

Members from Operation Margate continue to educate the community around the dangers of grow houses via ongoing radio interviews and media stand-ups. They also encourage all members of the public who may have information on the cultivation of illicit substances to contact Crime Stoppers.

Case study: Operation VITREUS: Millions in drugs and cash seized

In August 2024 ACT Policing participated in Operation VITREUS, a coordinated national week of action targeting the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. This initiative, involving all state and territory police forces, focused on dismantling drug trafficking networks through highly visible, intelligence-led operations across Australia.

Operation VITREUS in the ACT was marked by meticulous planning and effective inter-agency collaboration. Over the course of the operation ACT Policing executed 15 search warrants throughout Canberra. These efforts led to the seizure of more than 1,000 cannabis plants and more than 42 kilograms of dried cannabis material, with a combined estimated value of $3.1 million. Additionally, approximately 280 grams of cocaine were confiscated, together with more than half a million dollars in cash.

The searches also uncovered significant ancillary criminal activity. At a residence in Gungahlin, officers located a firearm and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Further seizures included illegal fireworks, steroids and a prohibited knife, underscoring the interconnectedness of drug crime and other illegal activities.

As a result of these investigations two individuals were arrested at a property in Flynn and charged with multiple offences related to the cultivation and distribution of cannabis. Authorities also restrained two properties (in Flynn and Fraser) and two vehicles (a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Tarago) under proceeds of crime legislation, disrupting the financial underpinnings of the illicit enterprise.

A key outcome of Operation VITREUS was the dismantling of four grow houses within the ACT, with intelligence gained during the week leading to the discovery of a fifth site – housing more than 200 cannabis plants – where inquiries remain ongoing.

The success of Operation VITREUS highlights the value of collaboration between ACT Policing and partner agencies, as well as the importance of proactive, intelligence-driven policing in addressing serious and organised crime. The operation demonstrates ACT Policing’s ongoing commitment to protecting the community by targeting and dismantling criminal networks at both local and national levels.

Case study: Protecting the community from illegal vape and cannabis sales in the ACT

In August 2024 General Duties members at Gungahlin Police Station

commenced an investigation into a syndicate allegedly operating a mobile delivery service in the ACT and surrounding areas for vapes, cannabis and cannabis edibles (cannabis-laced gummies and hash cookies).

It is estimated the syndicate was making between $2,000 to $3,000 per day and was predominately selling to teenagers across the ACT.

It was identified that a child as young as 12 had purchased hash cookies and cannabis- laced gummies using this delivery service.

It was also identified that a 15-year-old female student suffered a medical episode at school after consuming cannabis gummies purchased from the mobile delivery service, resulting in her being transported via ambulance to hospital.

During its investigations, ACT Policing observed a man conducting multiple exchanges of goods from his vehicle at multiple locations. Some of these deals were being made in close proximity to Canberra secondary schools and also to students in school uniform.

In early September 2024 during a traffic stop on the ‘delivery’ vehicle, police identified and seized several items including vapes, cannabis, cash, gummies and other drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was then executed at a private residence linked to the driver.

On 6 September 2024 police, assisted by the Forensic Crime Scene team, executed a search warrant at a Franklin address where it was suspected the syndicate was storing its main supply of vapes and cannabis. Crime scene members examined manufacturing and grinding equipment, vape boxes, cookware, jelly moulds and product packaging.

Specifically, more than 600 vapes were found within the premises, in addition to grow tents, hydroponic paraphernalia, lighting, packaging, drying racks, plant enhancers and processing equipment. Police seized a range of packaged cannabis products in the shape of bears and leaves, as well as cannabis liquid and gelatine crystals.

Fingerprints developed on vape boxes and packaging material, and trace DNA swabs sampled from cookware, led to identifying a suspect.

One of the many concerns of ACT Policing was the unhygienic and unmeasured way the cannabis products were being produced and the unknown effect this had on the potency and ingredients of the gummies.

On 25 October 2024 General Duties members from Gungahlin Police Station acting on information from Australian Border Force (ABF), intercepted a consignment at a

Canberra Courier company in Hume in the ACT. The package contained 130 kilograms of vapes from China.

Further information from ABF revealed several previous large consignments weighing hundreds of kilograms from China had been delivered to these same addresses and were suspected to have contained vapes.

On 29 October 2024 police executed search warrants and seized approximately 300 vapes, just under 2 kilograms of dried cannabis and more than $19,000 suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

Across the entire investigation, police executed search warrants on five premises in the ACT and charged five members of the syndicate with multiple offences including manufacturing and trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug (cannabis-laced gummies), trafficking in a trafficable quantity of cannabis and supplying cannabis to a child.

In addition to these charges, some members of the syndicate were charged with offences for the first time in the ACT, including:

• possessing at least the commercial quantity but less than 100 times the commercial quantity of vaping goods
• attempting to possess at least 100 times the commercial quantity but less than 1,000 times the commercial quantity of vaping goods
• supplying vaping goods
• attempting to import vaping goods into Australia
• not storing cannabis out of reach of children.

All defendants in this matter are currently still before the court.

ACT Policing is confident that this syndicate supplying vapes, cannabis and cannabis products predominately to teenagers has been completely dismantled.

Performance Measure 11 – Number of targeted traffic operations (in line with the 2024–25 Road Safety Calendar)

There were 19 targeted traffic operations by ACT Road Policing in 2024–25. This takes into account one operation per month in line with the Road Safety Calendar and additional operations including, but not limited to, major events like Summernats and seasonal awareness campaigns including Operation Snow Safe and the Kings Highway Easter campaign.

Outcome: Respond

Performance Measure 12 – Average length of time to respond to Priority One incidents

The average length of time to respond to Priority One incidents was 6.4 minutes in 2024–25. This was 19.7 per cent below the maximum target of 7.9 minutes, which was the average response time for Priority One incidents over the past five years.

Performance Measure 13 – Average length of time to respond to Priority Two incidents

The average length of time to respond to Priority Two incidents was 17.4 minutes in 2024–25. This was 1.2 per cent below the target of 17.6 minutes, which was the average response time for Priority Two incidents over the past five years.

The high volume of Priority Two incidents reported to ACT Policing has presented challenges for ACT Policing in meeting Performance Measures relating to response times since 2015–16. The increase in Priority Two matters in the last five years has been a key driver of the result for this KPI. While the number of Priority Two incidents decreased by 4.9 per cent in the last 12 months, there was an increase of 9.8 per cent over the last ten years.

Performance Measure 14 – Percentage of Priority Three incidents responded to within 48 hours

Figure 4.12. Percentage of Priority Three incidents responded to within 48 hours

In 2024–25, 95.1 per cent of Priority Three incidents were responded to within 48 hours. This was a decline of 0.1 per cent compared to 2023–24.

Performance Measure 15 — Percentage of Triple Zero (000) calls answered

Performance Measure 15.1 – Percentage of Triple Zero (000) calls answered on first presentation

The percentage of Triple Zero (000) calls answered on first presentation was 91.4 per cent in 2024–25. This result was 0.6 per cent above the target of 90.8 per cent, which was the average percentage of calls answered on first presentation over the past five years.

ACT Policing applies the highest priority to answering Triple Zero (000) calls and aims to answer them within 10 seconds. Non-emergency calls to Triple Zero (000) reduce ACT Policing’s capacity to respond to genuine emergency incidents in a timely manner. ACT Policing Media continually remind the ACT community not to call Triple Zero (000) unless it is an emergency. Nuisance or hoax phone calls, even though they are low in volume, do exist and can impact on ACT Policing’s ability to respond to emergency calls. ACT Policing also observed an escalation in calls to the 131 444 line which has, in turn, meant longer call-wait times, leading to some callers contacting Triple Zero (000) instead.

Performance Measure 15.2 – Percentage of Triple Zero (000) calls answered on second presentation

The percentage of Triple Zero (000) calls answered on second presentation was 97.2 per cent in 2024–25. This result was 0.2 per cent below the target of 97.4 per cent, which was the average percentage of calls answered on second presentation over the past five years.

Performance Measure 16 – Percentage of the community satisfied in general with the job police are doing in responding to emergencies and disasters

The results for this measure come from the National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing (NSCSP). In order to collect a sample large enough to be representative, the NSCSP introduced online collection methods in addition to phone interviews. This change has significantly impacted the NSCSP results as the method of collection is known to affect respondent answers.

The sampling mix also differs between jurisdictions. Accordingly, the 2024–25 data is not comparable to results in previous years, is not comparable between jurisdictions and cannot be used to derive a reliable national average.

The percentage of the community satisfied in general with services provided by police in responding to emergencies and disasters was 73.5 per cent in 2024–25, which was 5.7 per cent above the national average. However as the national average cannot be used as a reliable comparison there is no valid target for this measure.

Outcome: Enforce

Performance Measure 17 – Proportion of offenders proceeded against for person offences

The proportion of offenders proceeded against for person offences was 35.3 per cent in 2024–25. This was 6.6 per cent over the target of 28.7 per cent, which was the average over the past five years.

Figure 4.13. Proportion of offenders proceeded against for person offences

Performance Measure 18 – Proportion of offenders proceeded against for property offences

The proportion of offenders proceeded against for property offences was 9.3 per cent. This was

1.5 per cent more than the target of 7.8 per cent, which was the average over the past five years.

Figure 4.14. Proportion of offenders proceeded against for property offences

Offenders proceeded against for property offences measures the number of offences where there was an outcome during the reporting period. These outcomes include but are not limited to the apprehension of an offender through an arrest or some other form of proceeding such as a summons or a formal caution, withdrawal of the complaint or the determination that the offence was unsubstantiated. It is important to note that proceedings for an offence may not necessarily occur in the same period in which it was reported.

ACT Policing continues to work with the ACT Government to develop and implement strategies to improve the criminal justice system. This includes the establishment of the Community Policing Proactive Intervention and Disruption Team to focus on reducing recidivism and calls for service.

Outcome: Community Confidence

Performance Measure 19 – Percentage of the community satisfied in general with services provided by police

The percentage of the community satisfied in general with services provided by police in 2024–25 was 64.6 per cent, which was 7.3 per cent above the national average. However as the national average cannot be used as a reliable comparison there is no valid target for this measure.

Performance Measure 20 – Percentage of the community who have confidence in police

The percentage of the community who have confidence in police in 2024–25 was 72.2 per cent, which was 8.4 per cent above the national average. However as the national average cannot be used as a reliable comparison there is no valid target for this measure.

Performance Measure 21 – Number of complaints against police

The number of complaints against police in 2024–25 was 107.

Other Reporting

Work undertaken to address key requirements under the new Multiculturalism Act 2023

ACT Policing continues to promote and support multiculturalism in the ACT. The 2024–25 financial year saw a range of activities undertaken in this area and extensive engagement from ACT Policing Multicultural Liaison Officers (MLO) and Community Engagement Team (CET) members including:

• Successful engagement with Canberra Islamic faith leaders resulting in a new fatwa being discussed to support victims of domestic and family violence.
• Delivering presentations on policing awareness and community safety for multicultural seniors’ groups and migrant/refugee students.
• Coordination of community safety meetings between various community groups and ACT Policing Inspectors and Senior Executive members, including the Jewish, African and Hindu communities.
• One-on-one support for Family Violence Safety Action Program and Multicultural Hub clients navigating the ACT legal system.
• Attendance at numerous community events including Multicultural Festival, Eidal Fitr Fair, Women’s Community Iftar dinner, Sri Lankan Festival, Africa Sports Day and Tongan Youth Celebration.
• Collaboration with the Canberra-based AFP Human Exploitation Coordination Officer to develop awareness of human exploitation crime types and referral options amongst the ACT multicultural community.
• The organisation of meetings with vulnerable multicultural community members (via referral or enquiry) to discuss incidents/issues of concern/police processes in neutral environments, using interpreters when appropriate.
• Engaging in conversations with AFP leadership regarding recruitment practices and promoting ACT Policing recruitment among communities to encourage CALD/Culturally and Racially Marginalised community members to consider careers in policing.
• Proactively seeking out educational opportunities for MLO and CET members to increase their knowledge of different cultures to improve their overall cultural literacy.

Translator and interpreter services

The AFP is obligated under the 2022–26 Purchase Agreement to report ACT Policing’s use of translators and interpreters in its Annual Report. In the 2024–25 financial year there were 148 instances where interpreter and translator services were used.

Outcomes achieved aligning with the Ministerial Direction and CPO’s Statement of Intent

Police Services Model

The ACT Government supported ACT Policing to implement the first stage of its strategy to transition to the Police Services Model (PSM). This staged strategy enabled ACT Policing to adapt its operating model and investigative processes to engage and support the community whilst responding to the complexities of modern-day crimes.

The ACT Government supported this policy change by providing $33.9 million and 60 FTE from 2019–20 to 2022–23, through Tranche 1 of the PSM.