18 November 2024
RAAF Base Richmond hosted 140 NSW and Australian Federal Police officers during an engagement day, which included the unique experience of flying on a RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft.
The engagement day on November 7 was a chance for members of the ADF's Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU) to show appreciation for the work civilian police agencies do in working with and supporting military police and the ADF.
The day included a showcase of police and military assets, including duty vehicles, aircraft, weapons displays and military working dogs.
The civilian police were also taken on a training flight over Sydney on a 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.
Officer Commanding Joint Military Police Station Sydney Lieutenant Commander Brad Weeks said building strong relationships between civilian and military police members was invaluable to both organisations.
“Cooperation between military and civilian police is often essential in conducting investigations or operations,” Lieutenant Commander Weeks.
“An event such as this is an opportunity to ‘lift the veil’ and invite the civilian police into the military environment in order to interact, engage and network, to enhance the kindred spirit of the policing profession.
“The bonds created through this experience will enhance the interoperability between the two.”
NSW Police Force Superintendent Nadine Roberts, Commander of Hawkesbury Police Area Command, also emphasised the importance of these relationships.
“It is imperative to have strong pre-existing relationships in place between civilian and military police before they are required,” Superintendent Roberts said.
“This has been a great opportunity to spend a day together and not just build on those already existing relationships, but to take them to the next level and truly build an understanding of what we each do and what support and services we can offer each other.”
The engagement days are an ongoing initiative by JMPU, with further events expected over the coming years.
