Australian Police Journal

11/10/2026

What’s it like to arrive at the scene of a major terrorist attack in which scores of people have died or been seriously injured? Or to lead the Australian contingent in an international operation to rescue boys trapped in a network of flooding caves? Or to discover that a colleague is corrupt and actively working against you in an organised crime investigation?

Glen McEwen OAM KCD experienced the above and much more in his 35-year career with the Australian Federal Police. In the latest episode of 'Policing Australia', Glen talks about the more memorable operational experiences in Australia and Asia, and discusses the impact policing can have on an individual. The can be downloaded via all major podcast apps, or heard at www.apjl.com.au/podcast/

Glen’s memoirs, Crime Chaos and Controversy, will be released by Big Sky Publishing later this month.

28/09/2026

A moving message from the former police commissioner. Tomorrow is a significant anniversary for remembering fallen police who died in the service of their communities.

A simple wall in Canberra has become a window into lives, writes former AFP commissioner Mick Keelty.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9342130/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Post

12/09/2026

In our latest episode, APJ Editor Simon Bouda and Deputy Editor Gerard Dutton join host Jason Byrnes to discuss a significant anniversary for the magazine. The first issue of the APJ was released in October 1946; 321 issues later, the publication continues to play an important role in educating and informing and others about important policing and community safety issues.

Topics discussed by Simon, Gerard and Jason include the strengths of the APJ, how aspiring authors can get their ideas converted into published articles, and the future of the publication.

The podcast can be downloaded at all major podcast apps, or can be heard at www.apjl.com.au/podcast

Contact the APJ at [email protected] if you have an idea for an article or future story for the podcast. Additional information can be found at www.apjl.com.au

27/08/2026

October 2026 marks 80 years of serving and the community through educating, informing and entertaining police officers and others with a lawful interest in community safety. Check out our website at www.apjl.com.au for more information!

13/08/2026

Our new has been released!

International partnerships are critical for improving the effectiveness of policing and law enforcement, especially in the Pacific. More effective policing across the region leads to safer communities and an increased potential ability to combat transnational and serious organised crimes such fraud, environmental crime and the smuggling of illicit drugs and people.

For decades, Australia and New Zealand have played an important role in assisting and working alongside Pacific islands police, with a view to building Pacific policing capabilities and security. In recent years China has also established and built up its policing presence in several Pacific island countries.

In this episode, Virginia Comolli and Martin Thorley from the non-government think tank, Global Initiative against Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, discuss why China is expanding its policing presence, the types of initiatives Chinese are engaged in, and point to lessons for other international actors.

The episode is available through all major podcast apps or can be heard at www.apjl.com.au/podcast/

Virginia and Martin’s report – 'Policing Partnerships in the Pacific: China’s Law Enforcement Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries' – can be downloaded at GI-TOC’s website at https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/policing-partnerships-in-the-pacific-china/

19/07/2026

What’s it like to police a community crippled by a violent insurgency?

Hear from former policeman Don Urquhart who served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the 1970s during the height of 'The Troubles'—the late 20th Century period of horrid violence in Northern Ireland. Don recalls what policing was like for officers who came from and lived within a community either afraid or unwilling to cooperate with the constabulary. It’s an eye-opening account of the challenges of policing by consent in a ruthlessly violent society.

Don’s article—Troubling Times: The Royal Ulster Constabulary in ‘The Troubles’—is in the June 2026 edition of the APJ. If you aren’t already a subscriber to the APJ, go to www.apjl.com.au and click the subscribe button. Through the website, subscribers have access to 300+ issues of the APJ, extending back to the 1940s.

01/06/2026

Our June 2026 issue has been published. Its contents include:

• ‘When Seconds Count’ – Tasmania Police search & rescue operations
• The 175 anniversary of the Western Australia Police Force Water Police
• ‘A Sandy Grave – The murders of Danny Wasley and mark Banks’, a homicide investigation by NSW Police Force
• Recollections of a former Royal Ulster Constabulary GC officer
• The recognition of police bravery at the 2005 Cronulla Riots
• How artificial intelligence will likely impact Australian policing – an article written by AI
• The police response to fallen space debris in Western Australia, and
• An unsolved crime in NSW.

You can read the magazine online at www.apjl.com.au.

14/05/2026

The availability of illicit to***co in Australia has reached plague proportions, with organised crime involving itself in the smuggling and distribution of the product. And here’s the strange part – it’s the result of a public health policy success story!

This episode looks at the nature and scale of the problem with Inspector Rohan Best. Sergey Alexeev and Professor Don Weatherburn then discuss their research findings regarding the so-called he**in drought at the turn of the century, and how it might present some lessons for today’s law enforcement agencies.

The episode is available through all major podcast apps or can be heard at www.apjl.com.au.

14/04/2026

What would be the challenges facing Australian police, should Australia find itself involved in an existential war for national survival?

The globe is currently experiencing intense geo-strategic rivalries and changing international norms. The Australian Government has described this era as being the most complex set of strategic circumstances since the end of the Second World War in 1945. War isn't certain, but many nations (including Australia) are currently building up their military capabilities and equipment levels, just in case.

In our latest podcast episode we look at Australian policing during the Second World War, and of Ukrainian policing in that nation's current defensive war against Russia, to identify what wartime policing could look like. Given the nature of modern war - especially the use of long-range missiles, drones, cyber hacks as well as acts of sabotage to cause civilian chaos - Australian police could find themselves effectively in the front lines. Further, police operations in wartime are likely to be impacted by societal anxieties, staffing availability and issues surrounding the reliability of equipment. Professionalism, innovation, resilience and dedication to service, will be critical for policing a nation at war.

The episode can be downloaded through all major podcast apps, or can be heard at the APJ's website ww.apjl.com.au.

25/02/2026

Our March 2026 edition is online, with hardcopies to be posted to subscribers later this week.

In this issue are the following articles:

• Welcome to Northern Territory Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole APM.
• '6 Minutes of Terror' – a minute-by-minute account of the 2024 Bondi Junction Stabbing.
• 'Amy Scott – A Brave Battle' – After her bravery at the Bondi Junction Stabbing, Inspector Scott now faces another battle, this time with cancer.
• 'Clan Labs' – Insight into the formation of the Australasian Clandestine Laboratory Association.
• 'Total War: A Police Perspective' – Speculates on the challenges facing Australian policing should the nation again find itself at war.
• 'The Ju**ie Express' – A police investigation into the domestic and international activities of an Asian criminal syndicate operating in Western Sydney.
• Forensic Award – Dr Duncan Taylor PSM was recently presented with a prestigious award.
• Bravery – Nominations have been called for the Police Federation of Australia’s National Police Bravery Award.
• 'APJ Unsolved' – Read about the unsolved murder of taxi driver Bryan Hodgkinson, which occurred in Bundaberg, Queensland.
• Editorial – Regarding the recent Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

Go to www.apjl.com.au to access the online versions, and to subscribe.

Northern Territory Police Force NSW Police Force Australian Federal Police Queensland Police Service Victoria Police Western Australia Police Force Tasmania Police South Australia Police