Australian Federal Police share experience of all-female security teams at FIFA Women’s World Cup

Having wrapped up its major security operation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has advised of the role taken by all-female teams embedded with each of the competing nations.

In place throughout the tournament, the AFP’s ‘Operation Tasman’ ran in partnership with state police to provide security to the 16 Australian-based teams and four teams travelling from New Zealand participating in the event.

Specially-trained AFP Team Security Liaison Officers (TSLO) were deployed with teams across the country as part of the operation, the all-female security operation being responsible for coordinating safety and security alongside other law enforcement partner agencies.

The all-female cohort came from various operational areas within the AFP, including investigations, community policing and protection.

Under Operation Tasman, TSLOs travelled with each Australian-based team. TSLOs resided in the hotel, travelled with the team to all training, media commitments and games. Although they had a pitch-side view of some of the most exciting games of women’s football in history, the protective security overlay for the team was always the primary focus.

The AFP’s Specialist Protective Command also provided close protection to designated Australian high office holders, foreign dignitaries and internationally-protected persons during the tournament.

AFP TSLO for Panama, Leading Senior Constable Williams, said providing an optimal, safe and secure environment for the teams competing in the WWC was a career highlight, stating “I really enjoyed working collaboratively with the Panama team and sharing in their journey during the tournament. Witnessing Marta Cox score Panama’s first-ever goal and observing the significance of this moment for the team and community was incredible.

“I took great pride in representing the AFP and in execution of my duties in order to support the team and ensure the overall success of the tournament.”

AFP Acting Commander Rowena Penfold said the role of AFP officers throughout the tournament provided the teams with the ability to train, prepare and play in a secure environment, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Penfold added "Operation Tasman was a dedicated protective security resource to each team based in Australia, highlighting the AFP’ s commitment to the tournament's success, as well as the depth of experience of female sworn members. This is the first time in the history of the AFP that an all-female operational response has been deployed to an all-female sporting event, led by a female Commander.

"Furthermore, Operation Tasman highlights the strength of our working relationships with both our partner agencies in state and international police agencies as well as our relationships with industry, particularly FIFA."

No Special Escort for FIFA President
It has also emerged that both Australian and New Zealand Police forces rejected requests from world football governing body FIFA for its President, Gianni Infantino, to be escorted during World Cup travel.

FIFA’s request in multiple jurisdictions to provide escorts for its President were turned down.

In many jurisdictions, the provision of a police escort is generally reserved for foreign dignitaries and heads of state.

Image: The AFP Team Security Liaison Officers helped ensure the security of the Panama team. Credit: AFP.