This episode is about how the actions of Australian police can have a diplomatic effect, when police personnel are deployed overseas. The deployment of police to another country is as much a statement about the sending nation’s intent and values, as it is about the police duties being performed.

Dr Martin Hess is a retired police officer who has just published a book titled ‘The Politics of Police Diplomacy – the Australian Experience’. It’s an analysis of six decades of Australian police activities in places such as Indonesia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific. 

In these locations, Australian police have performed duties ranging from criminal investigations to disaster victim identification, capacity building, liaison, stability support and peacekeeping. In his book, Martin examines these activities through a diplomatic lens. 

Martin served in the Australian Federal Police for 33 years, during which time he worked in several Australian cities as well as overseas, in Afghanistan, Cyprus and East Timor. Before retiring in 2021, Martin was awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the Australian National University. His doctoral thesis is titled ‘The Australian Federal Police as an international actor: diplomacy by default’. 

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Dr Martin Hess