AFP Clasps and Rosettes

ALLIANCE – Clasp (AFP)

On Saturday October 12, 2002, two bombs were detonated in Kuta Beach, Bali, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians. Invited to assist in the Indonesian National Police (INP) investigation, the AFP launched Operation ALLIANCE with the support of other Australian and international agencies. Members of the AFP who took part in the investigations in Indonesia were awarded the AFP Operations Medal with clasp ALLIANCE. The medal and clasp also went to members of other Australian police services involved, as well as to selected non-police specialists employed in forensic investigation and analysis.

AREW – Clasp (AFP)

There were 298 people on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down on 17 July 2014. All 298 passengers and crew died, including 38 Australians. The largest loss of life to Australians internationally since the 2002 Bali bombings. The AFP deployed over 180 personnel to Ukraine, and other key locations in Europe as part of Operation Arew. AFP officers undertook various duties: search, investigations, intelligence, DVI and forensics support.

The investigation met the highest international standards. It accepted the inherent challenges associated with protracted, multi-jurisdictional investigations. It obtained evidence in separatist-controlled Ukrainian territory. AFP experts worked with a forensic expert group of international specialists. The group ensured a holistic, coordinated and strategic approach to the complex and challenging task.

PENDENNIS-EDEN – Clasp (AFP)

Operation PENDENNIS-EDEN was a Sydney-based combined Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), AFP, Victoria Police (VICPOL) and New South Wales Police (NSWPOL) counter-terrorist investigation carried out between 2004 and 2005 which resulted in the arrest and trial of nine men on charges of plotting to carry out acts of terrorism. Members of the AFP who were involved in Operation PENDENNIS-EDEN were awarded the AFP Operations Medal with clasp PENDENNIS-
EDEN.

PLEACH – Clasp (AFP)

In June 2007 the Australian Government announced the Northern Territory Emergency Response Initiative. This is a whole-of-government operation initiated to assist in the protection of children in remote indigenous (i.e. Aboriginal) communities from sexual and other abuse. The initiative followed the release in April 2007 of the Little Children are Sacred report by the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse. Operation PLEACH, which
commenced on June 25, 2007, was the AFP contribution to the initiative.

Eleven AFP officers were sworn in as special constables of the Northern Territory Police (NTPOL) and one of these officers was embedded into the NTPOL command structure. Since this time additional AFP officers have joined the contingent and have also been sworn in as special constables of the NTPOL. Members of the AFP involved in Operation PLEACH are awarded the AFP Operations Medal with clasp PLEACH.

SORBET – Clasp (AFP)

Operation SORBET was a joint AFP and Australian Defence Force (ADF) operation to track and seize the North Korean flagged merchant ship Pong Su in April 2003. Suspected of illicitly landing illegal drugs in Australia, the Pong Su was ordered into harbor in Australia for investigation, however, the ship attempted to flee into international waters. Tracked by ships and aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the Pong Su was intercepted at sea inside Australian territorial waters on April 20, 2003 by HMAS Stuart, an Anzac class frigate of the RAN. When
the Pong Su refused orders to heave to she was stormed by a heliborne assault team of Australian Army special forces personnel, accompanied by members of the AFP Operational Deployment Group. Following the seizure of the ship it was steamed into Sydney Harbour and secured. Approximately 150kg of heroin, directly connected to the Pong Su that had been seized by the AFP and Victoria
Police in Victoria was destroyed; the Pong Su was seized by the Australian Government, and, despite protests from North Korea, destroyed in 2006 as a bombing target in a joint RAN/RAAF operation. Members of the AFP who took part in Operation SORBET were awarded the AFP operations Medal with clasp SORBET

THEMIS – Clasp (AFP)

Operation THEMIS is part of the law enforcement strategy framework sitting under the Serious Organised Crime Consultative Committee. THEMIS is responsible for targeting serious financial crimes including fraud, money laundering and corruption