Jenderal Polisi Indonesian National Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo
Kapolda Bali, Police Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya
International Association of Women Policing President Julie Jaeger
Charge d’affairs to the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, Gita Kamath
And members of the AFP.
I am honoured to address the 63rd Annual Training Conference of the International Association of Women Police.
I am sure there will be many worthy topics you will cover during this important conference, including the need to better support women through recruitment and promotion pathways.
However, it is also important to acknowledge the more than six decades of training and investment in female police through this association.
That is an extraordinary commitment to justice and female empowerment across generations, and I want to congratulate all – past and present – who have dedicated themselves to the International Association of Women Police.
Trailblazers are not always recognised at the time for their bravery or hard-won rights.
And often, our trailblazers are unaware of the mark they have left. Many are posthumously celebrated and acknowledged by the ones who come next.
To pay that forward, we must always think about the female police officers who are coming next, and that means we can’t shift the challenges faced tomorrow if we don’t consider them today.
It is easy to have a peripheral view of those standing beside us, because they are generally our peers and are our equals.
But all leaders, regardless of gender, have a responsibility to take the time to understand those who are coming up behind us, and understand the challenges they may face.
That also requires us to accept that the barriers to policing which are invisible to some, are very much in plain sight for others.
It means everyone who wears the uniform must see the things they cannot see.
Now, I know that is a paradox.
But it is a reality all leaders must accept.
Propelling progress may require more women to speak up and be loud about the barriers others cannot see, because not all of those in positions of power will turn around and look out for those behind them.
Trying to leave a legacy bigger than oneself may be a heavy weight to carry at times, but the bigger burden will always be realising too late that the moment to reform wasn’t seized for the greater good.
I think of those who did seize the moment, such as Los Angeles policewoman Alice Stebbins Wells.
She is the reason why we are here today.
Wells was her own lobbyer-in-chief in her tenacious campaign to be hired by the Los Angeles Police Department, and she used a swell of community support to force the hand of the then mayor and the then police commissioner.
She became the first female police officer of the LAPD in 1910.
Her kit included a police rule book, a first aid book, a telephone call box key and the Policewoman’s Badge Number One.
As predictable as life would have it, Wells had to sew her own police uniform, a khaki-coloured floor-length dress and jacket.
While working as a police officer, she campaigned for more female officers and, in 1915, Wells established the International Association of Police Women.
Many credit her for other US cities and other countries hiring female police officers for the first time.
Between 1933-1955, the organisation was inactive because of global events, including The Great Depression.
But in 1956, under a slight organisation name change, making it the International Association of Women Police, female members mobilised again.
They voted that the organisation represent sworn officers, offering membership to those with full police authority. That year was also the first annual training conference of the International Association of Women Police.
Now, before we even consider about what it was like for a female police officer back then, let’s reflect on what it was like for many women in 1956.
A search for the historical highlights of that year outlines that:
• US President Dwight D Eisenhower signed a law requiring the motto In God We Trust to appear on all US currency;
• New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw a perfect game in the World Series, the only one in the event’s history; and
• Pope Pius XII called for global reconciliation and peace in his annual Christmas message.
Then there are other notable mentions:
• Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco formally announced their engagement;
• Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III in Monaco’s civil ceremony; and
• My Fair Lady premiered on Broadway with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison.
It would be fair to say history shows that in 1956, and let’s be honest, for decades to come, the news makers were men in positions of power.
Women in 1956 did make news, but it was generally about their weddings, having babies or singing songs. They were clearly society’s beautiful ornaments.
Now, women today still make news about their weddings, having babies and singing songs.
But in 2026 – 70 years later – more and more female leaders are in serious, powerful positions and are making significant contributions to security, policing and public policy. These contributions are now etched in the daily news cycle.
Women are no longer destined to be society’s beautiful ornaments.
Because women across the world, in many disciplines, are gender disrupters, breaking the barriers and challenging the status quo.
And, with many of my colleagues at home in Australia and throughout the world, we aim to keep building upon the legacy of Alice Stebbins Wells by forging new paths for female officers throughout the globe.
Because it is good for the world.
We don’t need reports or research papers to tell us how important it is to have women in policing because we see it and feel it every day – although there are many academic papers and reports that reaffirm this.
In the simplest terms, women are 50 per cent of the world’s population, so it makes sense to have female police. But it is much more than that.
We need women for diversity of thought, their ability to de-escalate conflict in community and their understanding how the female body works, which is incredibly important for female victims of sexual assault. It is also about showing women and girls what women can be.
Yes, there is the power of the badge, but nothing comes close to financial empowerment. In many countries throughout the world, policing is giving women financial independence.
This is so important for our sons to bear witness to, as they navigate online misogyny, violence and hatred against women.
It is also important for their critical thinking to see women above damaging stereotypes.
When Inspector Amy Scott from NSW Police brought a deadly attack to an end at a shopping centre in 2024, the majority of Australians didn’t firstly identify Amy as a woman doing something incredibly brave – they paid tribute to a police officer putting her life on the line to save others.
Her unflinching valour was not seen through the prism of gender. Now, I believe that was one of the most significant moments for female police officers in a very long time, because it goes to the first thoughts and instincts of a population.
We know Amy will this week receive an International Association of Women Police Bravery Award.
But I hope there is also the recognition that apart from being brave, police officers such as Amy are also making great strides for equality, fairness and legacy.
Every day I strive to show how female policing leaders are equal to the job, but I know it will take time and patience. After all, we are still in a male-dominated profession.
And, I know this sounds contradictory, but I don’t want to waste a minute while I am wearing this uniform. In part, it is because I know how important my appointment has been to women and girls.
Last year, I became the ninth AFP Police Commissioner and the first female to hold this position.
The great thing about firsts is there is generally a second and a third, and then a number which no longer is as newsworthy or relevant.
My appointment was the sum of many things. Yes, hard work, but it was also because of those who removed barriers for women – some who did it with subtlety and others who were as delicate as a BearCat tactical truck.
I want to give a pivotal example. It is more subtle than smashing through a glass ceiling, but the outcome was career-changing, nonetheless.
At 30 years old I had my first child.
My husband and I, who were then both police officers, had tried so long to have a family.
We were so proud and happy when our little girl arrived with the help of IVF.
She was so perfect. And she still is.
Some of you may remember those early days of your first newborn.
There’s a feeling of apprehension, maybe some anxiety, all of which can be compounded by a lack of sleep.
But I also remember my heart feeling so full of love that it feels like your heart could burst.
Yet, with all the joys of motherhood, there are also the many practicalities.
Such as the practicalities of breastfeeding.
When my little girl was four weeks old and I was on maternity leave, I was invited to a police station in Canberra to interview for a promotion to Sergeant, and I was keen to get through that round.
So, I said to my husband the night before, “You’ve got to come with me because I’ll need to breastfeed just before I go into the interview, otherwise I won’t be able to fit into my police tunic!”
So, there I was, feeding my little one in the car park of a police station with minutes to spare just before my interview – and in that moment I remember looking at my daughter thinking, “please don’t bring up anything on my uniform!”
The good news was my uniform remained intact and I managed to button up my tunic, although it was still a bit snug.
More importantly, I was found suitable for the Sergeant’s merit list.
It meant when I returned to work after my maternity leave, I could be promoted when a position became available at ACT Policing.
So that was great.
But a bit of disappointment lingered.
Because returning to work part-time after 12 months of maternity leave meant I was likely returning to a policy area, which is where I had transitioned to while I was pregnant.
But I didn’t want a desk job.
I loved being a general duties police officer and I loved being on the road.
Then there was a moment in my life, that decisive moment, that probably helped set the course of my career.
At the time, then-Superintendent Lesa Gale – who is now Deputy Commissioner Gale- found out through the policing grapevine that I was scheduled to go back to a policy role.
She rang me to ask if I was willing to trial something that had not been done before in ACT Policing.
That was working part time as a frontline patrol sergeant and doing the shifts that suited my new family.
I jumped at the opportunity.
Who knows whether I would be standing here today as Commissioner if I didn’t get the chance to go back to frontline policing so soon.
That progressive kindness from one woman to another is something I will never forget.
Lesa has been among my trusted deputies who has whole-heartedly supported me as Commissioner and the significant reforms I have introduced for the AFP.
There were two months between me being announced as Commissioner and actually starting in the role.
It was the longest two months of my life, but it enabled me to hone in on how I wanted to re-shape the agency.
I instinctively knew where I wanted to reform and refocus, and much of my thinking was shaped by the criminality I was dealing with as Deputy Commissioner National Security.
When I became Commissioner in October 2025, I set five new priorities: Defending Australia’s domestic security and our region, which includes safeguarding the nation from terrorism, protecting our designated airports and sites of significance plus ramping up our role in the security requirements for the AUKUS submarines; Protecting vulnerable communities, such as targeting predators, manipulators and those who radicalise our kids; Future proofing the AFP workforce; Investing in science and technology-led capability; and Supercharging global operations.
I also adjusted our mission to ‘defend and protect Australia and Australia’s future from domestic and global security threats’.
And, without any ambiguity or hesitation, I shifted the AFP to a national security agency.
This was done deliberately to reinforce to the workforce and the community that the AFP does not just protect – we defend. We are not passive. We need to play offense because our adversaries never play by the rules we are forced to abide by.
I also re-envisioned the role of AFP Commissioner.
Given the clear priorities and the new direction, I have faith in my Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners to run the day-to-day business of the AFP.
That allows me to have a similar role as a Chairwoman of the Board – where I protect the AFP’s interests, provide the direction and strategy, and introduce the long-term plans and long-term goals.
To do this I am building the AFP’s footprint across the world so we can be more effective in how we work with partners to stop crime at source countries – supercharging global operations – as well as contributing to conversations with global partners where security or law enforcement decisions impact on Australia.
I am also engaging in more public private partnerships to help support my priorities and to build relationships with non-traditional law enforcement partners, such as those in academia, business and sport.
It’s part of my strategy to reinforce to governments and other stakeholders that the challenges we are facing cannot be fixed by policing alone, especially when it comes to our youth cohort, who are getting younger and more willing to mobilise to violence.
Most of our complex challenges require whole-of-society buy-in and I want them to see their role in the solutions we need.
First, that requires relationship building, an understanding of the AFP and what the AFP may require from them.
The operating environment we face in Australia has never been more complicated, polarising and unpredictable.
What makes sense today may not make sense tomorrow. What worked yesterday would be foolish to try today.
The old versions of ourselves – safe from threats because of geography, analogue systems and far away criminals – are consigned to the history books.
And that has been very apparent during my nearly 12 months as Commissioner.
During this time, there have been a number of high-profile matters that have directly or indirectly required significant action from the AFP.
Significant law enforcement planning, resources and community reassurance have been needed for many of these operations, but none have come close to the aftermath of the deadly attack at Bondi Beach.
That atrocity has wounded our nation, and the scars will forever endure in our national psyche.
I reflected earlier about the benefit of being a first – and that there is generally a second and a third, and then a number which no longer is as newsworthy or relevant.
However, there can sometimes be challenges with firsts – and that is the trap where leaders feel they need to prove they have received their appointment on merit.
In my leadership, I know I received the job because I was the best person for the job and not because I am a woman.
But I think as a woman, either consciously or subconsciously, you want to prove you are in the job on merit.
And, during some of the more challenging times during my first year, I had to kick the doubts out of my head.
There is no greater service to a country than public service, yet those appointed to high-profile positions can attract criticism.
But I learned something quickly. Having doubts about ability erodes ability, because we can second guess ourselves or retreat to playing it safe.
We must be humble, take constructive advice and admit and learn from our mistakes, but dwelling on them is unhealthy for leadership and the people we lead.
There will be enough strangers and keyboard warriors willing to point out our faults.
For many women in significant positions, the best antidote to the trolls is remembering and harnessing the traits that got you the job in the first place.
For me, I believe it is my empathy, my ability to make hard decisions, especially ones that may be unpopular, and my willingness to take good risks.
I am also surrounded by good people who will provide frank and fearless advice.
It is important to note that during my career, I have had so much support from women.
However, some of my biggest backers have also been the very fine men within the AFP.
While I know how important it is to have formal programs, courses and opportunities for female advancement, I also believe women – and men – need to have an informal honour system of paying it forward when someone has invested in their career.
And that brings me to an ask I have for all of you in the audience.
Because I do love to set a challenge. And, given the audience, I reckon you will meet and beat the challenge.
My ask is: Can you do for your female workforce like Lesa Gale did for me all those years ago?
And I don’t mean the same in a literal sense.
Can you take the time to understand where women are at in their lives and then identify an opportunity for them? Can you take the time to turn around to see who is coming next and what they may need to succeed?
At times, leaders and bosses will baulk at offering opportunities because they think they are too small or not of consequence.
Yet, sometimes the smallest change or opportunity is just what is needed to enable the bigger steps later.
I know the many law enforcement agencies around the world are taking great leaps and bounds in this area.
The AFP is also doing what it can to empower female police officers in Australia and across our region, particularly in the Pacific and Asia, including through the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation.
The work we are doing together is amazing and I am so proud.
