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

Learn how police were able to identify and apprehend a serial sex offender and burglar in northern Adelaide. When the offender was eventually sentenced in court, the judge declared the man had 'no control over his sexual instincts'.

Retired Detective Senior Sergeant Carl Whitaker returns to the podcast to talk about the investigation, which he previously wrote about in an APJ article titled ‘Uncontrollable Urges’ (September 2011). It can be viewed at www.apjl.com.au.

Host: Jason Byrnes

Guest: Carl Whitaker

Search & Rescue coordination expert and retired policeman, Dr Jim Whitehead APM, discusses two cases where police were called to search for men who went missing in remote bushland.

Jim’s article about the first case – titled ‘The Perfect Storm’ – was printed in the September 2023 edition of the APJ. In that case Mr Don Marchant went missing in rugged jungle-like bushland in southern Queensland, a day before the region was struck by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

The second case involved a hermit, Mr Victor Horne, who disappeared on a large property in Far North Queensland. Initially, only Victor's vehicles and spoilt groceries were located by the property’s owners and searchers. The article about this case – ‘A Lonely Death’ – was published in the June 2024 edition of the APJ.

Both articles are available at the APJ's website - www.apjl.com.au

In his conversation with podcast host Jason Byrnes, Jim talks about each case and the lessons learned or reinforced for police search coordinators. Jim’s previous appearance was in episode 5.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Dr Jim Whitehead APM