Claim Sparks Internal Inquiry
By Renee Cutrupi, The Canberra (Australia) Times
Police ranks were so stretched during United States President George W.Bush’s visit to Canberra that civilian police office workers were allegedly dressed up as police to make up the numbers.
Some are alleged to have been involved in the presidential motorcade, driving pursuit vehicles with flashing lights, which could have compromised presidential security.
An internal police investigation has been launched into how the office workers were apparently ordered to impersonate their police colleagues by wearing police overalls and reflective vests with AFP insignias and drive police cars with warning devices activated, The Canberra Times has learned.
Senior sources within the AFP said that even President Bush and US Secret Service agents were “embarrassingly” unaware that at times the motorcade was penetrated - and even led - by an office worker who normally deals with administrative and staffing tasks within ACT Policing.
“Getting unsworn people to dress up as police was their brilliant solution to bumping up the numbers - to us it was an insult,” a high-ranking source said. “Doesn’t training and experience mean anything?”
The sources said that the AFP was unable to unearth enough police - despite siphoning resources from interstate - to cover the President’s security requirements of at least 450 AFP officers.
The huge operation, which involved more than 300 of the President’s own security staff, is estimated to have cost more than $2million and included a 24-hour fly-over in Canberra skies of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty said last night through a spokeswoman that he was aware of the “issues that had been raised” and that he was “confident that ACT Policing executive will handle it in an appropriate manner”.
ACT Commander in charge of the Bush security operation, Mandy Newton, said she had no knowledge during the President’s visit of any civilians dressing and undertaking duties as operational police.
“I am aware that there is an allegation from a number of people that did occur [unsworn individuals dressed as police] but I wasn’t aware of people actually doing that,” Commander Newton said last night.
“So whilst there is anecdotal comment being made, it’s something that’s been referred to our Professional Standards area in regard to whether or not someone [undertook] operational activities as a staff member rather than a police member.
“I don’t see that the President’s safety or security was compromised at any time and I’ve had no indication of that from any of my commanders.”
Australian Federal Police Association national president, Jon Hunt-Sharman, confirmed members had complained to the union about the matter and that their complaints had subsequently been lodged with the internal police investigation unit.
“I can’t comment about any internal investigation that might be occurring but certainly those allegations were also put to the association and we referred them to the internal investigation unit of the Australian Federal Police,” Mr Hunt-Sharman said.
“But I can’t go any further in regards to that matter. In general terms, it’s obviously extremely concerning but it’s a matter really for the AFP and their internal investigations unit.”