Commonwealth Police Force
COMPOL · Commonwealth Police
1960 – 19 October 1979
Renamed Australian Federal Police in 1979.
Federal police force combining plain-clothes investigators and uniformed protective officers, investigating offences against Commonwealth law and guarding Commonwealth property, dignitaries and establishments.
Names over time
- Commonwealth Police Force1960–1979
- Australian Federal Police1979–present
How it came into existence
Formed in 1960 under the Commonwealth Police Act 1957 by amalgamating the Commonwealth Investigation Service, which supplied its detectives, and the Peace Officer Guard, which supplied its uniformed officers.
- Investigation of Commonwealth offences
- Guarding Commonwealth establishments
Legislation: Commonwealth Police Act 1957
Changes during its life
- 27 March 1975Moved to the new Department of Police and Customs.
- 22 December 1975Moved to the Department of Administrative Services when the Department of Police and Customs was abolished.
How it ended
Continued in existence as the Australian Federal Police under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 from 19 October 1979, absorbing the Australian Capital Territory Police.
- Investigation of Commonwealth offences
- Protective security
The Australian Federal Police Act 1979 continued the Commonwealth Police Force in existence under the new name.
Main functions
- Investigation of offences against Commonwealth law
- Protective security of Commonwealth property and establishments
- Protection of dignitaries
- Airport policing
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Administrative Services.
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.